Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-04-05
American Sunday Monthly Magazine Section


There seemed to be nothing questioning
in his eyes or in hers-nothing of even doubt,
only confidence, and a confused sort of
her cheeks and deepened the sunburn on his.
"Where is your horse?" he asked.
She told him.
:" won't be long away from you, he said.
She nodded
He did not remain away very long; and
when he returned leading the two horses,
he found her sitting up waiting for him,
with that faint smile on her face which had
started the whole amazing business.
"Put both arms around my neck, he
said bending down over her.
She looked away from him for a moment,
and the smile faded then she slowly com
piled with his request.
SO he carried her to her saddle, and when
she was comfortably installed there, he
gathered up the odds and ends buClled and
made fast everything, snapped both dogs to
heel, whistled in his own horse, and, one
arm passed around the Cantle of her saddle,
walked slowly forward beside her stirrup.
And it seemed to him that all the treasures
of the world lay there within the half-Circle
OF his shelterlng arm.
Neither said anything; the plain was wide
from the shooting-pits to the Ritter Bunga-
low, and the sandy miles were >traversed in
silence save for the Clatter of flushed doves
rising before them with a flash of the four
white feathers-the Creak of leather, and
the soft tread of the horses over dead
grass.
High hawks circled over them: the black
vultures scared higher STILL wheeling notes
floating in the uttermost blue vault. And
all around them stretched a sunlit world
very perfect and very still, very wonderful
s5nguIa quid referam?
Toward afternoon they came in sight of
the noble live-oak forest which surrounded
the Ritter Bungalow A little branch
running noiselessly and crystal clear over
white sands, crossed their path. Here
they Matted; horses and dogs drank deep;
a cardinal bird sang.
81 don't know why this morning told
you | was somebody else: | suppose you
know that am Billy Clifton" he said
"I-did not know it. Butt does not
surprise me"
"Why?"
"You could not be anybody else, because
you are-what | always believed him-to
be-"
"What did you believe him to be?"
"What | think you are. -
and what is that?"
A ghost of smile touched her lips:
"Of us two-here together think that
you are the better man. And that is what
| always thought"
He did not smile.
:" You are the better man." he said.
81 don't know why you endure me-"
He drew her hand close against his lips
then very gravely he looked up at her.
Il don't suppose any other girl in the
whole world would understand me, he
said
"I-suppOse not, she murmured.
But Won do-dear?"
"Yes.' Her lips scarcely moved. She
looked up into the dazzling blue, then
gravely, down at him.
you understand that am in love with
you? Do you understand it, dcar?'
Eyes. T.. | understand it.
He drew deep unsteady breath;
"There is your house. Shall you ever
ask me thereafter what | have just said
to you?"
"Come no further" she whispered, as
he rode up beside her.
as that my answer"
Her head dropped; she sat absently
playing with her bride for few moments.
Then the lowered eyes were slowly lifted
to him, all starry with inquiry.
"You tell me-" she said, that you-care
for me-
Eyes"
You say also that, of us two, am the
better man"