The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-08-02

deuTi"
which he had felt for Olga, was absent
There was no illusion, no pain, no ro-
nance in David's affection for her 1t
was quiet, we'll balanced, wholesome.
She knew she was the passionless choice
Of his calm, wise moments.
Nora came ill., muddy letter in her
hand.
'The fool of postnan, to save cool
ing his feet, put this under the mat in
stead Of ringing the bell. It's u sorry
looking letter it is now," and Nora
dried it on her apron before putting it
in Anne's outstretched hand
1t was from Donald. Her eyes bright
ened as she took it quickly and drew the
rustling pages from the envelope. She
read:
DEAREST ANNE-It's very quiet where sit
tonight writing to you. The short twilight
has disappeared into a dark blue night, tho
southern cross is in the sky, and the few other
stars are bigger and brighter than the many
at home. How far away you are from me!
Somehow l never felt 80 alone in the wilder
ness as do tonight. A longing to see you eats
at my heart. There is no voice in the world
as sweet as yours. love your eyes, the way
your lips look when you laugh. Oh, Anne,
Anne, If l could see you nowl
These fancies are wild, you will think may
be. Oh, but do love you sol A niger some
where in the darkness outside is playing a pas
sionate tune on a tin flute, and the savage
notes go through me, racking me with mis-
cradle sort Of happiness, they a1D SO like the
ache feel to see you to touch you!
I've worked very faithfully. The men I'm
thrown with. Armitage and Morgan are bully
POLL
ing for prosperity under another sky the
reward. / like them both immensely, and
think they like me pretty we'll
wish you could see your two books. You d
hardly know them, they are thumbed.
almost know them by heart. There's "a bright
future for you, Anne, dear. Oh, hope you il
have all your dreams realized. every one! But
there's bitterness In the thought for me. sec
more and more how much Iaspire to in loving
you, how mad the dream that maybe But
can't go on. Nothing can alter the fact that
do love you, and, though you go quite out OF
my life and marry and are happy without one
thought of me, must still love you. Nothing
can alter that.
| Oh, l wonder will you ever love me? Will
ever be able to 60 to you and ask you that
! Will dare? What you've been to me! Only
today as stood watching the negroes among
the coffee shrubs thought Of the night in tn,
mines when we sat with hands clasped il
wretched self as I'd never spoken to any living
being and the night when Joe died and tried
to tell you all that was in my heart. DO yor
remember it as dor i kissed your hair that
\ night. You didn't know it. Afterward, wher
: you laid your cheek against my arm, youl
i beautiful face SO white and whispered, "Il
/ remember, Donald, " / thought my heart woult
burst with pain and joy. Oh, how i wish
! could have my life to live over again and be a
this moment the man God had meant me IL
| be, not full of bitter memories, still half atrait
after fighting the habits of yearsl Ii away
| back i'll the past when was little chap
could have known that one day I'd meet you
love you, need you so. how little all that wa.
miserable would have seemcd-only time o.
i darkness to be lived through somehow Will
happiness awaiting me at the endl
| These are thoughts which haunt me all tn,
| time, though I've little enough time to think
! There's SO i,.ch 10 20 I've .r9w..-yery p,a.'