Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-09
l had her In mn arms.

hand in his. Nov, If the Bible said
when IA body kissed ye on one cheek
We mus turn t'other l wouldn't find no
fault. but TIERS a heap O. Difference
tween a whack an q smack"
When we had come back from dinner
Uncle Eb drew off his boots and sat
comfortably In his stocking feet, while
Hope told OF her travels and | Of my
soldering. She had been at the con-
s~ervatory nearly the whole period Of
her absence and FASTENED home when
she learned Of the battle and OF my
wound. She had landed two days be-
fore.
Hopes friend and Uncle Eb went
away to their rooms in good season;
then I came and sat beside Hope on
the sofa.
Lets have a good talk" l said.
There was an awkward bit of silence.
"Well." said she, her fan upon her
lips. tell me more about the war"
Tired Of war;" l answered. Love is
a better subject"
She rose and walked up and down
the room. a troubled look in her face.
I thought / had never seen a woman
who could carry her head SO proudly.
II don't think you are very familiar
with it," said she presently.
II ought to be-" I answered, 'having
loved you all these years"
But you told me that-that you low
ed another girl" she said. her elbow
leaning on the mantel, her eyes looking
down soberly.
When? WhereT" I asked.
In Mrs. Fuller's parlor."
Hope" l said, you misunderstood
me. l meant you"
She came toward me then. looking up
into my eyes. l started to embrace her.
but she caught my hands and held
them apart and came close to me.
Did you say that you meant me?'
she asked in a whisper.
Il did"
"Why did you not tell me that night?'
Because you would not listen to me
and We were interrupted"
well, II l loved a girl" she said'
I'D make her listen"
II would have done that. but Mrs.
Fuller saved you"
You might have written" she sug'
gested In a tone Of injury.
II did"
"And the letter never came-just as
l feared"
She looked very sober and thoughtful
then.
You know our understanding that
day In the garden" she added. III you
did not ask me again l was to know
yOu-you did not love me any longer
That was long. long ago"
II never loved any girl but YOU
said. II love you now, Hope. ana ina
is enough. love you so there is noth'
ing else for me. You are dearer thar
my life. 1t was the thought of you tha'
made me brave in battle. wish
could be as brave here. But l demano
your surrender. shall give you NJ
quarter now"
II wish l knew" she said, whether =
whether you really love me or not!'
Don't you believe me, Hope!'
Eyes. l believe you." she said. but
but you might not know your owr
heart"
ut longs for YOU" ! said. ut keep
me thinking Of you always. nce !
was so easy to be happy; since yol
have been away 1t has seemed 90 l
there we're no longer any light In thu
world or any pleasure. II has mad
me q slave. did not know that low
was such q mighty thing"
Love IL no Cupid; he 10 q giant" oh
said, her voice trembling with emotion
% mine had trembled. Il tried to for
get. and hs crushed me under bis fee
~ II to punish me-"
She vas near to crying now. but Oh
shut her lips firmly and kept back th'
tears. God grant Inc ! may never for
get the look in her eyes that moment
She came closer to me. Our lips touch