Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-03-15
A W0mkN'S
ANSWER
Ey LlEWELLYM LORD

| Darkness was settling over the city.
| The wind blew, and the snow fell in
| little whirls, yet lone little woman
| braved the cold and storm to walk
| along the beach. The houses were
near at hand. She was in no danger,
| perhaps, yet it was an odd place for
promenade at that hour.
The little woman walked slowly.
| pausing now and then to look at the
breakers as they rolled up, rafting
the shore ice unsteady, and then
flowing back again into the lake.
She started at the sound of foot
steps and fled lightly toward the near
est house.
"Alice!"
She stopped instantly and stood
poised like bird ready for flight until
he came up with her
YOU" she calculated.
YOU" he exclaimed
Il was startled for a moment" she
explained, with distant politeness. Il
thought you were in Cuba
Il came home yesterday. l have
been away for three years."
20, have you? How quickly the
time passes" she said with studied
carelessness. 'Is it really three years
since you went away"
1T is odd that we should meet here
again-at this hour, Alice. Have you
forgotten that it was here-three
years ago this evening-we parted?
That was stormy evening, l remem-
Ter"
eve came down here to see the
waves, Perhaps? l really do not re-
member about it," She whirled her
muff in her hand.
"You cared so little, them" he
asked.
For the waves? o, they were not
important But it is growing late,
now. l must go in" She did not
move.
"Good-by," he said sadly.
"Good-by," she murmured.
Alice, how did you happen to be
here?" he asked
Three years ago? Why, came to
see the waves, didn't II"
But to-day?"
20, | just happened to be here-I
was looking for a ship" She rested
her cheek against her muff did you
bring your wife with you from Cuba?"
1T is my misfortune not to have a
wife, he said, laughing bitterly. 2i
co." she said. well, l must go.
Good-by."
'Good-by, Alice"
Neither moved
you are married, I suppose" he
suggested, looking carefully at the
dim surface of the lake.
Co. no; the ideal She laughed
nervously. We'll, I must go. Good
by
"Good-by, Alice
This time she turned. She really |
took one step.
Alice" he cried, beseechingly.
She paused and looked at him tim |
idly.
81 said that l never would ask you |
agaln-but to find you here, at this |
spot-where l came to say farewell |
to your memory-the old longing that |
never have been able to kill comes |
upon me with double force. Alice, if |
should ask you again tonight to be
my wife"
"Alice!" called a gentle voice from
The house.
Yes, mamma, / am coming"
Would you refuse me AGAIN."
Did | refuse you before, Edwin"
Yes, certainly. You said that-well
tbs no matter. The last three years
nave been the most wretched that 1
ever spent in my life. l have sworn
never to ask you again, but 1 do, now.
Will you be my wife,"
YES" she said
In one bound he was at her side, and
she was clasped in his arms.
Il ought never to forgive you" she
'aid at last. IF you had not run to
Cuba so hurriedly you might have
earned three years ago that the first
no means yes. I have been so lone
VI thought you never would come
Jack" |.
"Alice!' called the voice from the
louse in gentle warning. Il
Coming, mamma" she cried.
They clasped hands and ran to the
Ouse together