Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-03-06
A W0MAN'S
ANSWER
Nv LLEWELLYN 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
a 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.
81 was startled for a moment" she
explained, with distant politeness. 81
thought you were in Cuba"
Il came home yesterday. I have
been away for three years."
20, have you? How quickly the
time passes" she said with studied
carelessness. SIS it really three years
since you went away?"
ct is odd that we should meet here
again-at this hour, Alice. Have you
forgotten that ii was here-three
years ago this evening-we parted?
That was a stormy evening, remem.
her."
I'VE came down here to see the
waves, perhaps? I 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. 1 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 -"
But today"
20, 1 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.
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.
20, no; the ideal" She laughed
nervously. well, l 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 / never would ask you
again-but to find you here, at this
spot-where 1 came to say farewell
to your memorable old longing that
I never have been able to kill comes
upon me with double force Alice, if
l 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 l refuse you before, Edwin"
Eyes, certainly You said that-well
its no matter. The last three years
have been the most wretched that
ever spent in my life. I have sworn
never to ask you again, but I 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.
II ought never to forgive you" she
said at last. eff you had not run to
Cuba so hurriedly you might have
learned three years ago that the first
mo- means yes. l have been SO lone
ly-I thought you never would come
back"
"Alice!" called the voice from the
house in gentle warning.
Coming, mamma" she cried
They clasped hands and ran to the
house together.