Gilpin observer., 1914-07-02

planted the ramblers. (Do you know,
when your little muddy boot went
trampling down the earth about thsir
roots, l wanted to stoop down and
kiss 1t? 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 pegan-nor that 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. 1t began the
first afternoon. when I 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-first-sight Is as out-ofdate as our
little grandmothers' hoops rusting in
the garret. All, sweetheart, |, for one.
know better!
Suppose l 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 leaf-calendar-it sits
at my elbow now, just as came on It,
The date 1t shows is May 14th, and
its motto is: Every man carries his
fate upon riband about his neck
l like that
That first Sunday at st. Andrews.
l thought of day-may it be soon!-
when you and l 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 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
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 it is that the sun
has set. ! am sending this over by
Uncle Jefferson. Send me back Just
word by him, sweetheart, to say l
may come to you tonight And add
the three short words l 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 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 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 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 1t hastily in to the candle
light. He did not open II at once, but
sat for full minute pressing 1t be-
tween his palms as though to extract
from the delicate paper the beloved
thrill OF her touch. His hand shook
slightly as he drew the folded leaves
from the envelope. How would 1t be-
gin? my Knight of the Crimson
Rose" or Dear Gardener" (She had
called him Gardener the day they had
set out the roses) or perhaps even
Sweetheart" 1t would not be long,
only mere Yes" or Come to me-"
perhaps; yet even the shortest missive
had its beginning and its ending.
He opened and read.
For an instant he stared unbeliev-
ingly. Then the paper cracked to a
ball In his clutched hand, and he made
hoarse sound which was half cry,
then sat perfectly still, his whole face
shudderinx. What he crushed In his
hand was no note OF tender love
phrases; It was an abrupt dismissal.
The staggering contretemps struck
the color from his face and left every
nerve raw and quivering. To be moth
Ing to her. as she could be nothing to
him?" He felt a ghastly inclination to
laugh. Nothing to her!
Presently. his brows frowning heav-
lily. he spread out the crumpled paper
and reread It with bitter slowness,
weighing each phrase. Something
which she had learned since she last
saw him. which lay between them"
She had not known It. then. last night.
when they had kissed beside the sun
dial! Shs had loved him then! What
could there be that thrust them irrev-
ocably apart?
Without stopping to think OF the
darkness or that the friendly doors of
the edifiee would be closed. he caught
up his hat and went swiftly down the
drive to the road. along which he
plunged breathlessly. The blue star.
spangled sky was now streaked with
kn