Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-09-13
THE LITTLE DOUBTS

was ablaze with lights, and the BIZ
weekly hop was IN full swing. Faint,
disjointed bits OF music feated across
the water to the two voyagers.
It was evident that the moonlight
paddle was an tmpromptu> affair, for
the man was in faultless evening
clothes and the girl wore gown OF
dazzling white.
The man, propped comfortably in
the cushions in the bow, smoked
thoughtfully, and silently regarded the
girl as she deity welded tAe paddle
or, laying it across the gunwales, al
lowed the canoe to drift aimlessly
along the moons path.
When they reached the middle Of
the lake, the man sat suddenly up
right and tossed his cigarette into the
water.
81 shall have to go back tomorrow"
he said.
He paused and looked at her smil-
ingly.
"In light of that disaster" he went
on, 81 am going to ask you to change
your plans a bit, and instead Of wait
ing the whole month for my answer
shall ask for it tonight-now."
The girl took up the paddle, and
with few deft strokes sent the canoe
shoe. ing ahead. Her eyes were intent
on the water, but he noticed the deep
color come slowly into her cheeks aud
heard her quickened breathing.
Presently she shipped the paddle,
and, turning her eyes to him, regarded
him steadily.
"Your answer is ready" she said
slowly.
And it isl he asked with eager
impotence.
ut is-no," she returned quietly.
The man said nothing, but he put
back his shoulders and his square jaw
set in determined fashion.
"Do presume too much" he said
at length, Gin asking the inevitable
'whyP"
The girls head dropped and she was
silent. One little hand nervously
clasped and unclasped about the han
die of the paddle.
"Is it because you don't-don't love
me?" he persisted.
She shook her head in denial.
I'D really like to know the reason"
he pleaded.
Its because" she said with much
hesitation, otis because I'm afraid OF
the shadows of the little doubts"
Suddenly she leaned toward him and
her eyes looked frankly into his
Il won't deny that love you, John,
for do" she said "Its not the big
things I'm afraid Of. In those / know
YOU would never be found wanting.
But. OH the little doubts, Johnl You
are ambitious. Your profession is
your god. You will grow more and
more absorbed in It, and u
She suddenly ceased speaking. He
heard little choking sob. For a time
be lay back on the cushions and stared
silently into the cloudless sky.
ais that all?" he asked at length.
She nodded miserably.
as it quite adequatep he asked
quietly.
She was silent.
Amy" he said, look at me and
listen"
Slowly her eyes were lifted to bis
"You say that my profession is my
god. 1t may be so, but IL 1t Is ] am
an arrant backslider."
"Why?" she questioned family.
because" said he, "for the sake Of
being here these two weeks with you
l sacrificed the chance to make name
for myself on that tunnel In South
America. Remember, dear l had
striven for the opportunity for years,
but when that opportunity came and
l found that must choose between 1t
and these two weeks with you l chose
and with all my heart say ] chose
wisely-the latter"
He leaned forward until his face
was close to hers.
"That is what ] did for my profess
slon-my god-remember," he said
tenseIy.
A strain Of music drlfted out to
them. He smiled rather bitterly.
well, let's go back and have one
more waltz at least" he said
But the girl laid her arms on the
paddle and buried her face In them.
He watched her in uneasy helpless
ness.
"Amy, Amy" he pleaded, -don't do
that. Believe me, didn't mean to
hurt you"
She lifted her face, flushed and tear
stained.
"You haven't hurt me-" she said
brokeuly. "Its simply that I'm glad
glad that the shadows Of the little
doubts are gone"
"YOu mean he began.
''Yes, 1 mean she said demurely.
Fbe canoe rocked dangerously for a
moment. but there are times when the
instability of a canoe Is g secondary
matter. Then It drlfted into the kind
ly shadows Of the pines on the farther
side Of the lake.
"Where are We, oh, ye shadows OF
the little doubts?" he apostrophlzed
heroically.
And q mufied voice from the Vicin-
ity Of his coat collar answered family:
vanished, thank heavenw
T. BLAIR EATON.
The Circuit Rider.