The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-04-17

phantly. She'll stay there till we can
get tug from Vineyard Haven. Well
go ashore and telephone from the life
saving station for one this minute No
more work today, boys"
Bradley went that night to see Gus.
"Gus,'' he said, Selling her hand and
holding it, haven't you got anything
to say to meY
She did not look at him. What shall
say?" she asked What do you want
me to say?'
why. thought you'd be glad that
I've got the schooner off. thought
you'd say
Il am glad, very glad. And very
proud But knew you would succeed.
Hadn't we better go?"
But he would not let her go.
II hoped you'd say more than thai"
he said disappointedly. Il was dread
fully blue the other night when Sam
was here. l thought that, after all,
perhaps | was making a fool of myself
in giving up the city and trying to win
out down here. 1t looked so small be-
side the great jobs Sam talked about.
But when you spoke to me on the steps
and told me you believed in me it all
changed, and swore to myself that l
would win because you wanted me to.
Gus, do you really care? Are you really
glad?''
Then she turned to him, and he saw
that her eyes We're wet
what do you want me to say?" she
whispered. THAT l am more glad than
I've ever been in my life before, and
so proud of you. so proud because you
were brave enough to make your fight
and win it in the face of the whole vii
hge? And so ashamed of myself be-
cause l didn't encourage you as l
ought when you first told me? | can
say all that, Brad. ard truly mean it."
But Gus-oh, it's no use! That isn't
enough. l haven't got any money, and
I've only begun in my work, and
may fail, after all. But, Gus, will you
wait for me? Do you care enough for
me to wait and hope with me and mar
~ me some day when l really win?
Do your
He held her hand in both of his and
waited, breathless, for the answer.
But she did not give it; instead she
looked at the window and through it
at the waving beach grass and the blue
sea beyond. And Bradley, gazing at
her face, saw the tears overflow her
eyelids and roll down her cheeks.
He turned white, and great dread
came over him. "Gus, don't you
can't you care for mel" he begged.
And then she turned and, leaning
her head upon his shoulder, cried heart
lily and without restraint. "Why did
you ask me? Why did your" she sob
bed.
Because had to. Gus, don't you
love me?"
| "Oh. Brad, l don't know. / think
do, but I'm not certain. I'm very, very
proud of you, and l believe in you
but, oh, dear, I'm afraid of myself
I'm afraid of my temper; afraid may
change; afraid l don't really love you
as much as l ought to-"
There isn't any one else. is there y
She smiled tearfully. mo, Brad
there isn't any one else"
''Then won't you try to say yes
Perhaps you'll learn to care for me
Won't you say yes and try, dear?"
do you want me to say it, now thai
you understand just how l feel?'
EYES,"
"Do you want to take me just as
am-liking you better than anybody
else in the world, but nOt-perhaps mo-
really loving you as it seems to me {
girl ought to love the man who is go
ing to marry her?"
Eyes"
I'm a queer GIRL Brad. Grandm;
says I'm like her best china teacups-
/ must be handled carefully or there'l
be smash. guess that's so. l dom
trust myself l change my mind fiv'
times day Do you want me to sa.
yes in spite of all thisY'
81 do
"Then l will say it, and 1 will tr.
to be what you would like to hav,
me-
He bent his head and kissed her.