The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-05-14

very frank admiration Where have
you been teaching"
"Oh. let's skip sordld details" Elsie
answered eyasively Don't you love
this country?n
Gilbert followed her gaze out over
the luxuriaAt wealth of grassy mead
ows and beyond to the high grim
mountains.
Yes he answered Loyalty. 81 do
love 1t. 1t bias given me back my life"
To Elsie it seemed is If her hear
must cry out and demand the whole
truth
DO You mean that You are really
well and strong a.ss.!.s - s..,s".,!s tg7al
You are grateful Just to be allve?" was
the question that begged to be asked.
but she forced it back ralentlessly
Gilbert himself broke the tense al
lence between them.
See, there's the shack" he said JOY.
ously, indicating the little gray bnnga
low set cozily in its frame of orchard
green.
Elsie gave a cry of delight. put her
horse to the galop and rode straight
and fast toward the open door
The rest of that light hearted sun
filled day passed like a flash At the
end of it. however, came tie inevita-
bic moment when confidence and the
exchange of mutual experiences and
future hopes would no longer be denied
expression.
Gilbert watched Elsies dark head
resting against the vine covered post
as she sat on the low steps of the
porch, and his heart bounded toward
her in mighty warming
1T Is time now to tell me where you
have been these two long years, Elsie.
Don't you think so:"
Elsie continued looking out on the
endless stretch of prairie lawn before
them.
Right here" she said at last, sigh
ing happily.
Here" questioned Gilbert in amaze
ment
We'll. in Texas" Elsie amended
teasingly.
please be serious, Elsie"
II am. perfectly. For two years I've
been teaching in district school down
here"
In the name of heaven, why?" de-
handed Gilbert
But Elsie would not let her hand be
forced She must know first how the
game was to end.
ut Is my turn to ask a question"
she said. You have succeeded here
wonderfully, haven't you, Gilbert2'
As he looked down Mt her his smile
had so much pride and pathos In 1t
that Elsie longed TO throw her arms
about him and to tell him that she
knew-she understood.
Pretty we'll" he admitted. for a
perverted young lawyer"
Don't" begged Elsie. 81 can't bear
to hear you speak like that"
why, bless your sympathetic little
heart" exclaimed Gilbert. noticing the
tears In her eyes. I've no kick COM
Ing over the law business. Am not
healthy brute again? What else counts
beside that?"
The joy that leaped In Elsie's heart
as Gilbert spoke these words sent the
color flying to her cheeks. That Gill
bert might not observe her agitation
she jumped up aud pretended to be
training a yagrant honeysuckle vine.
But If you are really well again
you'll go back to law. won't your"
perhaps. some time" answered Gill
bert thoughtfully. He was pacing up
and down the porch now. You see,
I've been out of it now for over two
years, and 1t would take some time to
get into the running again. Down
here I'm making my way far better
than hoped think there's a big
chance for success. And I'm well
-glorionsly we'll" He stopped
speaking "A moment. then added, look
Ing wistfully into the little home and
lowering his voice The hardest thing
Is having my sister go back. She's to
be married this fall. you know. She's
been brick "
Emotion checked his further speech.
The next moment. with little bro
ken sob Elsie was in his arms, and
the lovers gave themselves up to the
ecstasy of their emotions.
Suddenly Gilbert held her at arms
length from him, nearly crushing her
slender bands In the agony of his re-
nunciation
NO, Elsie" be said hoarsely, II can
not, will not let you. have no
right. 1t would be asking you TO sac
rlfce too much for me. You would
die of ennui down here"
But Elsie's eyes were shining; her
face was radiant with happiness
You forget, dear" she said gently,
that I've made it my country, too
that / have no sacrifice TO make. You
are my all Besides" she added
roguishly, ITS leap year, and you've
no right to refuse me. Gilbert"