Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-01-14
From
Darkness
To Light

slanting sun rays fingered; and she never
noticed how hard and fast Will roster
worked for his own purpose. But when
at last he laid down his SOULS, and the
boat began to drift slowly homeward
with the current. her eyes were suddenly
opened to the new, intense earnestness
upon his usually happy face.
You are not a very clever oarsman,
she said, quietly, though her heart began
to beat as she remembered how fast he
had brought her from home, and how
she had involuntarily allowed him to do
so, while she dreamed the time away,
mot at all clever, indeed, Mr.. Foster, OF
you would keep your SOULS and sit back
upon your seat
Il don't want to seem clever this even
ing, even to you" returned VIII, with
rather forced smile Il want to seem
only what l am. Nora-very much in
earnest, dear, in what | am going TO say
tonight. because I've so often tried and
failed"
please fail this time, too"
II cannot he said. and his hands were
tightly clasped as he leaned forward with
his elbows on his knees. MY heart is
too full tonight to be silent Nora, love
you so dearly that surely you will give
me one little promise to care for me in
return. | cannot expect such love as
feel for you, though even that may come
in time; but promise me you will care
for me a little, Nora"
Il do" responded the girl. grayely. Il
care for you little now; more than
little, for l never forget what compan-
| - ,saf
and out of mischief, or how you have
been my friend ever since; but l can
never care for you more than | do to-
night and that is only as a friend"
But you will feel differently, Nora,
darling. Surely, surely you will accept
me some day."
II shall never change to you, Will,
she said, very gently. II am as sure that
shall never like you more, as l am that
shall never like you less. Please let
things be as they are. Life is so pleas
ant now"
Bat things cannot be as they are"
cried viii, with rising vehemence. 1T
is not to be supposed that you will not
marry-you of all girls"
81 cannot yet; perhaps l never can"
Nora said it with a strange, quiet sad
ness, and her face had grown very white.
But when she met her companions blank,
incredulous gaze, she smiled a little, and
her own friendly, easy manner came
slowly back to her.
'Of course you will marry" persisted
Will. why, everybody wants you now"
II shall not marry everybody"
I'm sure" the young man went on,
heavily, mo one could be so devoted to
you as / am, and have been since
was going to say, since | went back to
Ireland and found yen grown up-but--
but l declare" he added, ruefully, II
don't believe l can remember time when
l was not devoted to YOU"
II DO. l remember when you wouldn't
carry little Larry Hogan home from Fin
tona on your back, though / asked you"
II cannot laugh" fretted Will, even
at the memory of that truant day of ours,
when we stumbled across little Larry in
the dark as we came home. No, re-
member l wouldn't carry him, for he
was muddy little object but l would
now, Nora, at the slightest hint of yours,
and in my best clothes, too. Do listen,
dear, and tell me you sill try and like
me enough to marry me. Don't always
jest"
II don't think l always jest" said
Nora, while, lighted by one swift ray Of
thought, she saw not only her isolated
youth, but possibility of a summed and
isolated age. II am not jesting now.
But see how pleasantly we glide with the
stream. You could not change the boats
course without making everything less
pleasant could you? So why should we
disturb it?"
But, just looking your future seriously
IN the face, Nora, dear" pleaded the
young curate, his voice full of trouble.
In the natural course of things your
drifting will be disturbed, as you say.
So why not choose now who shall"
Disturb it,? put in Nora, laughing,
though her cheeks again had grown very
pale. NO, not this summer, please"
Il have loved you always" reiterated
Will, going back to his once strong ar
gument, though since you have been rich
l have not liked to tell you"
Il thought not" returned Nora, demure-
4 ~; so you are trying now, just to please
me. But | like silence best"
If l keep silence some other fellow"
/ Il should not listen if he did, said
Nora, with a simple assurance which
! solaced him infinitely. II want this sum-
mer for-m-self."
Mora, do you really mean this?' whis-
1 pered young Foster. after he had moored
the boat at the garden steps, and was
offering her his hand. will no one be-
be more successful than | have been un-
til you have had all this summer as a
holiday"
No; no one"