The state herald., 1914-08-21

when your little muddy boot went
trampling down the earth about thsir
roots. l wanted to stoop down and
kiss It! So dear everything about
you wasD Not that evening at Rose
wood, with the arbor fragrance about
us. Il think shall always picture You
with roses all about you. Red roses
the color of your lipsD No. 1t was not
then that II oegan-nor :hRt dreadful
hour when you fought with me to save
] my life-nor the morning you sat your
horse in the box-rows 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! 1t
has never left me since, by day or by
night. And yet there are people In
this age of airships and honking high
ways and typewriters who think love-
at-frst-sight is as out-of.date as our
little grandmothers' hoops rusting in
the garret. All. sweetheart, |. for one.
know betterl
Suppose had not come to vir-
ginia-and known you! My heart
jumps when ! think OF It. 1t makes
one believe In fate. Here at the Court
l found an old leafcalendar-it sits
at my elbow now. Just as came on 1t.
The date It shows is May 18th, and
its motto is: Every man carries his
fate upon n 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 Tiny
people, too. now around us. and
shall hear you say: I. Shirley, take
thee, John And to think 1t 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
so about henceforth with my face
shining. so that all men will see that
/ have riches-your love for me. dear.
u 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
a 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 once,"
He raised his head. a little flushed
and with eyes brilliant, lighted
candle. sealed the letter with the ring
he wore and dispatched IT,
Thereafter he sat looking into the
growing dusk. watching the pale
lamps OF the consultations deepen to
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 inpatient
finally and began to prowl through the
dusty corridors like a leopard. then
TO the front porch and finally to the
driveway, listening at every turn for
the familiar slouching step.
When at length the old negro ap-
peared. Valiant took the note he
brought, his heart beating rapidly.
and carried II hastily In to the candle
light He did not open Il at once. but
sat for a full minute pressing II be-
tween his palms as though 10 extract
from the delicate paper the beloved
thrill OF her touch. His hand shook
slightly ms he drew the folded leaves
from the envelope. How would II be-
sin3 "My Knight OF the Crimson
Rosei" or Dear Gardener" (She had
called him Gardener the day they had
set out the roses) or perhaps even
"sweethesrt!" It would not be long.
only a mere Yes or Come to me, .
perhaps; ye, even the shortest missive
had Its beginning and Its ending.
He opened and read.
For an Instant he stared unbeliey.
inyly. Then the paper cracked to a
ball In his clutohed hand. and he made
u hoarse sound which was half cry,
then sat p-rf.etly still. hla whole face
shudderinS What he crushed In his
hand was no note OF tender love.
phrases. II was an abrupt dismissal.
ID. staggering contretomps struck
,h. color from his face and left every
nerve raw and 1uiyering. To be moth.
Ing TO her, m she could be nothing 10
himf" Hs felt n CHASTITY inclination 10
laugh. Nothing to heri
Presently. his browH frowning hcav.
ily. he spread ou, the erumpled paper
and rereai Il with bitter slownsss,
weighing each phrase. Something
which shs had learned since sho las,
nav him. which lay between them. -
She had no, known II. then. last night,
when they had kissed bcaidc the sun.
dali She had loved him thenl wha,
could there ba that thrus, them irrev,
ocably apartf
without stopping to think OF the
darkness or that the friendly doors OF
tho edlfee would be closed, he eaush,
up his hat and went swiftly down tho
drive to tho road. along which ho
plunged breathlossly. Tho blue star
spangled sky was now stroakod with