The Green Forest tribune., 1911-03-03
Blind Mans Holiday By o. HENRY
 Copyright by Ainslee Magazine Co)
By O. HENRY

 rapt, ascetic look; 1t was the face either of Sir Galahad or Sir Fool.
 Quite starlike," she said, lis this unapproachable angel. Really too high to be grasped."
 By me, yes"
 She faced him suddenly My dear friend, would you prefer your star fall en?" Lorison made a wide gesture.
 You push me to the bald fact" he declared; you are not in sympathy with my argument But I will answer you so. If I could reach my particu- lar star, to drag it down, I would not dc it; but if it were fallen, l would pick it up, thank heaven for the priv ilege."
 They were silent for some minutes. Norah shivered and thrust her hands deep into the pockets of her jacket. Lorison uttered a remorseful exclama- tion.
 'Im not cold" she said q was just thinking. I ought to tell you something. You have selected a strange conidante But you cannot expect a chance acquaintance, picked up in doubtful restaurant, to be an angel"
 'Norah!" cried Lorison.
 Let me go on. You have told me about yourself. We have been such good friends. I must tell you now what I never wanted you to know I am-worse than you are. I was on the stage-I sang in the chorus-I was pretty bad, 1 guess-I stole diamonds from the prima donna-they arrested mel gave most of them up, and they let me go-I drank wine every night great deal-I was very wicked, but -"
 Lorison knelt quickly by her side and took her hands
 Dear Norahl" he said. exultantly. Tt is you, 1t is you I love! You never guessed 1t, did you? 'Tis you I meant all the time. Now can speak. Let me make you forget the past. We have both suffered; let us shut out the world and live for each other. Norah, do you hear me say I love you?"
 ''In spite of
 Father say because of it. You have come out of your past noble and good. Your heart is an angels. Give it to me-
 "A little while ago you feared the future too much to even speak"
 But for you; not for myself. Can you love me?" She cast herself, wildly sobhing. upon his breast.
 Better than life-than truth itself than everything" And my own past" said Lorison, with note of solicitude-"can you forgive and"
 q answered you that" she whis- pered, when I told you loved you" She leaned away, and looked thought fully at him. "If I had not told you about myself, would you have-would l you"
 "No," he interrupted; q would never have let you know I loved you. would never have asked you this Norah, will you be my wife," She wept again. "Oh, believe he; I am good now-I am no longer wicked, I will be the best wife in the world Don't think l am-bad any more. If you do I shall die, shall die!" While he was consoling her, she frightened up, eager and impetuous. :'Win you marry me tonight?" she said. Will you prove it that way? l have a reason for wishing it to De to- night. Will you?"
 One of two things was this ex- ceeding frankness the outcome; either of importunate brazenness or of utter innocence.
 The sooner" said Lorison, "the happier I shall be-"
 What is there to do?" she asked. What do you have to get? Come! You should know"
 "A city directory first" he cried, gayly, 'to find where the man lives who gives licenses to happiness. We will go together and rout him out. Cabs, cars, policemen, telephones and ministers shall aid us"
 Father Rogan shall marry us," said the girl, with ardor. T will take you to him."
 An hour later the two stood in Fa- ther Rogan's study.
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