The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1914-11-28


roots, | wanted to etoop down and
kiss IL? SO dear everything about
you wash Not that evening at Rose
wood, with the arbor fragrance about
us. q think shall always picture you
with roses all about you. Red roses
the color OF you, ,ipsD No. II was not
then that II began--nor that dreadful
hour when you fought with me to save
my life-nor the morning you sat your
/ horse in the boxrows In that yew-
green habit that made your hair look
like molten copper. No, II began the
| first afternoon, when | sat In my mo-
tor with your rose in my hand! IT
has never left me since. by day or by
night. And yet there are people in
this age OF airships and hon King high
ways and typewriters who think love
at.first.sight is as out.of.date as our
little grandmothers' hoops rusting In
the garnet. All, sweetheart, |, for one,
know better!
Suppose had not come to Vir-
ginia-and known you! My heart
| jumps when | think OF II. II makes
one believe in fate. Here at the Court
| found an old leaf.calendar-it sits
at my elbow now. Just as came on II.
The date It shows is May 14th, and
Its motto Is Every man carries his
fate upon a riband about his neck
like that.
That first Sunday at st. Andrews.
thought OF day-may IT be soon!-
when you and | might stand before
that altar, with your people (my
people. too, now around us. and
shall hear you say: 4. Shirley, take
thee. John And to think II is really
to come true! DO you remember the
text the minister preached from? 1t was
But all men perceive that they have
riches. and that their faces shine as
the faces of angels | think | shall
go about henceforth with my face
shining, so that all men will see that
! have riches-your love for me, dear.
Il am so happy can hardly see the
words-or perhaps 1t Is that the sun
has set. | am sending this over by
Uncle Jefferson. Send me back Just
n word by him. sweetheart, to say |
may come to you tonight. And add
the three short words | am so thirsty
to hear over and Overcome verb be-
tween two pronouns-so that | can
kiss them all at oncei"
He raised his head. little flushed
and with eyes brilliant. lighted a
candle. sealed the letter with the ring
he wore and dispatched 1t.
Thereafter he sat looking into the
growing dusk, watching the pale
lamps OF the consultations deepen 10
green gilt against the lapis.lazuli OF
the sky, and listening to the insect
noises dulling into the woven chorus
OF evening. Uncle Jefferson was long
In returning. and he grew impatient
finally and began to prowl through the
dusty corridors like leopard, then
to the front porch and finally to the
driveway, listening at every turn fol-
the familiar slouching step.
When at length the old negro ap
peared. Valiant took the note h,
brought. his heart beating rapidly
and carried II hastily In to the candle
light. He did not open II at once. bu
sat for a full minute pressing II be
tween his palms as though to extrac
from the delicate paper the beloved
thrill OF her touch His hand SHOOT
slightly az he drew the folded leave
from the envelope. How would II be
gin? My knight OF the Crimson
Rose? or Dear Gardener" (She ha,
called him Gardener the day they ha,
set out the roses) or perhaps evel
sweetheart" 1t would not be long
only mere Yes" or Come to me.
perhaps; yet even the shortest missiy
had Its beginning and its ending.
He opened and read.
For an instant he stared unbeliey
ingly. Then the paper cracked to
ball in his clutched hand, and he mad
hoarse sound which was half or,
then sat perfectly still, his whole fac
shuddering, What he crushed In hi
hand was no note OF tender low,
phrases; II was an abrupt dismissal
The staggering contretemps strucI
the color from his face and left ever
nerve raw and Quiyering. To be moth
ing to her as she could be nothing L
him." lie felt CHASTITY inclination Il
laugh. Nothing TO her!
Presently, his brows frowning heay
ily' he spread out the crumpled pape
and reread II with bitter slowness
weighing each phrase "Somethlnl
which she had learned since she las
saw him, which lay between them
She had not known it, then. last night
when they had kissed beside the sun
dial! She had loved him then! Wba
could there be hat thrust them irrey
ocably apart?
Without stopping to think Of IN,
darkness or that the friendly doors o
the edifce would be closed. he caugh
up his hat and went swiftly down m,
drive TO the road, along which n,
plunged breathlessly. The bluo sta,
spangled sky was now streaked vii,
clouds like faded orchids. and m,
shadows on the uneven ground unde
his hurried feet made him giddv
through the din and hurly.burly q, hi
thoughts he VAS conscious of dimIy
moving shapes across fences ~
sweet breath Of Cowa ara