The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-06-02

Eyes" he answered legally: 81 do
owe 1t. 1t has given me back my life"
To Elsie it seemed as if her heart
must cry out and demand the whole
truth.
do you mean that you are really
well and strong again or merely that
you are grateful just TO be alive?" was
the question that be-.,d to he asked.
but She forced it bacleelentlessly.
Gillert himself broke the tense ST.
fence between them.
See. there's the shack" he said joy
susiy. Indicating the little gray bunga-
.ow set cozily in its frame of orchard
green.
Elsie gave cry of delight, put her
horse to the gallop and rode straight
and fast toward the open door.
The rest of that light hearted, sun
filed day passed like fash. At the
end Of it. however, came the inevita.
bile moment when confidence and the
exchange Of mutual experiences and
future hopes would no longer be denied
expression.
Gilbert watched Elsie's 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 yearning.
ut Is time now to tell me where you
have been these two long years. Elsie
Don't you think SOP"
Elsie continued looking out on the
endless stretch Of prairie lawn before
them.
Fright here" she said at last. sigh
Ing happily.
"Here?" questioned Gilbert in amaze
ment.
"WelI. in Texas" Elsie amended
teasingly.
"Please be serious. Elsie"
II am, perfectly. For two years I've
been teaching in a district school dowi
here"
IN the name OF heaven. why" de
manded Gilbert.
But Elsie would not let her hand b
forced. She must know first how th
game was to end.
''It is my turn to ask question.
she said. "You have succeeded her
wonderfully, haven't you, Gilbert?"
| AS he looked down at her his smil
had so much pride and pathos In
that Elsie longed to throw her arm
about him and to tell him that sh
knew-she understood.
Pretty WE'LL" he admitted. ''for
perverted young lawyer"
Don't" begged Elsie. 81 can't sea
to hear you speak like that"
why. bless your sympathetic litti
heart" exclaimed Gilbert, noticing th
tears in her eyes. 1--WE no kick con
ing over the law business. Am not
healthy brute again? What else count
beside that?'
The joy that leaped in Elsie's hear
rs Gilbert spoke these words sent tn
color flying to her cheeks. That CT
bert might not observe her agitatio
she jumped UP and pretended TO L
training a vagrant honeysuckle vine.
But II you are really we'll agai
. you'll go back to law. won't your
perhaps. some time" answered Gi
bert thoughtfully. He was pacing u
, and down the porch now. "You Sc
| I've been out OF 1t now for over tw
years. and il would take some time
get into the running again. Dow
} here I'm making my way far bette
than hoped. think there's a bi
> chance for success. And I'm we
here-gloriously we'll" He stoppe
I speaking a moment. then added. lool
ing wistfully into the little home an
3 lowering his voice: The hardest thin
r is having my sister go back. She's
I be married this fall. you know. She
been brick"
Emotion checked his further speech
. The next moment. with little br
ken sob. Elsie was in his arms. an
2 the lovers gave themselves. up 10 ii
E ecstasy Of their emotions.
=. Suddenly Gilbert held her at arm
. length from him. nearly crushing hi
slender hands In the agony Of his r.
l nunciation.
D NO. Elsie" he said hoarsely. Il cal
not, viii not let you. | have q
right. 1t would he asking you TO 81
! rifce too much for me. You woul
die Of enuui down here"
But Elsie's eyes were shining: HI
face was radiant with happiness.
You forget. dear" she said gentl,
+, that I've made It my country. too
that I have no sacrifice 10 make. Va
!, are my all. Besides" she adde
roguishly. "it's leap year and you''