Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1901-02-13

She looked up in his face with a lit
tie smile that would have appeased
very martinez in love.
II am very sure that Roddy does not
care a scrap nowadays for, me-" she
said demurely, adding, with sweet con-
triton, land am not surprised, after
the way treated him. But was only
a thoughtless girl in those days, and
know he has forgiven me-"
How long ago is it since those
days'?" queried Don, toying with a
golden strand of her hair. Her words
had restored his reinsurance and CALM.
II try to think 1t is a long, long
time. DOM she answered grayely, "for
then never thought of right or wrong,
or how beautif1 1t makes life If we
try to serve GOA father than self. Oh"
she broke off; with thrill of emotion
in her voice. sometimes pray l may
live to be an old woman, Just to try to
make up for all.those wasted years."
And so l, too, pray that you may,
though II were only to solace the de-
elining years of a lost sinner like my
self, sweet saint" he rejoined, lightly.
And now, my darling, since know
your heart is mine, beyond retraction,
can risk to tell you my news from
home today. That faithless Roddy is
about to be espoused to my sister, d."
"Oh, am so glad-so gladl" she ex-
claimed, and there was no mistaking
the genuine warmth OF her words.
You will tell him that when you
write, won't you, Don? And myself
will write to Di. Oh Don, 1 think Di
is one Of the noblest women in the
whole world But for her example
should never have learned to remem-
Der our lives are not our own"
Don rose from her side with mo-
mentary flush on his cheek. (.
you were not always such a little
Puritan, Lille" he rallied her. "or,
don't you know, pom my word,
should have been afraid to think it
possible you would ever look at such
a reprobate as me, for--you know am
not hypocrite, Lillie-I'm not good
fellow by any means, and, to tell the
truth, don't want to be one.'
1t was bold thing for him to say
in the. face Of her guileless professions
OF faith; but love made Lille blind to
everything but the bliss of knowing
he had claimed her heart forever,
and that into his hands had been put
the wondrous power of making his
chequered life blessed.
She rose, too, and put her hands out
to him with a sweetness that banished
all thought of alien opinion
Some day, Don, perhaps you Will
come to know, as do now, that this
world is not everything; and so long
as you love me / am content to wait
for know that God will make it plain
to you In His own good time"
Don's arms closed around her with
more demonstrative tenderness than
he had yet shown.
My white Lily, am perfectly GER
tain we shall prove model Darby and
Joan, for, since you will have me, what
do | care for anything else?"
And then he kissed her again, and
nurmured Sweet nothings" in her ear
that brought the color fitting happily
TO her lovely cheek. Lastly he drew
from his little finger a gold band, bear
ing diamond ivy leaf, and inscribed
inside with the single word "Bydand
-steadfast-the Gordon badge and
motto.
And when he had placed it on the
third finger of Lilies fair hand, she
repaid him by throwing her arms about
his neck and giving him the first shy
kiss of love.
"Oh, Don, may we be like the ivy
and always cling close to each other
May nothing ever come between us
two!" she cried
Those words of deepest love nigh
mayhap have fallen more fifty from
the mans<Aps than the girls; but Dor
read In their sweet solemnity the hid
den meaning of a hoped-for higher
bond OF union and he only smiled con
siderately as he held her close and re
turned her kiss with liberal interest.
II hope" he said playfully. "tha
means you never never would be So
cruel as TO jilt me as you did old Rod
dN Therel forgive me, sweet, In
a brute to have reminded you of thosl
days when you were such dear littl
coQuetae, Are you quite sure you ar
not afraid OF giving yourself to sucl
q Jealous beggar as am, Lille? Fo
you know I am jealous"
40 you know why l didn't tell yol
OF Roddy's engagement tai knew tina
had won Your dear heart? Beoaus
! didp't Want 10 DO taken out of pity,
"You need never be Jealous a m
any more, Don she said, with swee
earnealness,
what % Hts lilghaess Prince Clan
enl Sing, who your father told me sen