San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-18

"Of course not! It's the sur
dazzling on the poppies.'
NO. it Amt. You know you
wanted this like you wanted moth
ing else on the earth"
She nodded, waving her hands but
to field bright with buttercup'
and lupins. Spring came carly after
short, vigorous winter. The hills
we're a rich velvety green, the SKY
was crystalline and all the trees had
glistening, new washed shine about
them.
Don't be afraid, Nora Lee he
slipped an arm about her, his oWu
hand shaking.
"Of WHAT
Surely not of me-"
TRUST ME, HIS PLEA
She laughed softly, hiding her face
against his shoulder. listening TO the
loud humping Of his heart. The
sound. rapid, uneven, brought ne;
queer, thrilled peace. 1t murmured
his anxiety; his eagerness. 1t said
II too am afraid-afraid to hurt
your love. So trust me, Nora Lee.
We're to be so happy-happier than
any one ever dreamed"
She whispered back: "Yes-per'
haps-oh. j think we will"
She had wanted to wait until June.
Once sure that no other girl, nor
twenty girls to whom he gave blue
cornflowers, could take her place. she
wished to daily along in the sweetness
Of waiting, planning, dreaming.
She wished to be courted with the
most ardent passion; she wished 10
string out month after month the
delightful romance. There were SO
many reasons for this. She would
work and save. They would buy
furniture gradually. They would
have a long time to find the best bar
gain in an apartment.
But, underneath, these were not at
all the reasons for her reluctance. I'm:
derneath she was only hesitant and
fea to take this new, ire
mendous step; afraid to rush headlong
and tear away the mystery and the
solemnity of love. Afraid that the
revelation might leave her destitute,
even of dreams.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
She expected so much from life.
Marriage would sweep the two Of them
together in a sublime, magnificent
emotion-such a completeness as Mar
garet must have found in her love
for Andrew that even weeping on the
stairs there had been look OF glory
almost Of TRANSPORTATION on her fes-
lures.
No less than this Nora Lee demand
ed. Less than this, she feared mortal
" might be given. Less Of beauty,
less Of tenderness, less of enduring
sweetness.
So the tears crept into her eyes.
They drove southwark, following the
sunset trail. They found a secluded
lake in a woods miles beyond Los
Angeles.
IL was late one golden afternoon.
Nora Lee trailed her hand in the wa
ter and watched the young, brown
boatman pulling at the oars. She
smiled when his eyes met hers with
an anxious swiftness.
She thought capriciously: 1T is
good for men TO be afraid: Well for
2me. Dane Herrick, that you'll never
know you have my heart in your
hand. Ache on, beloved-tben all is
well.'
He asked simply: "Are you as
happy as you expected to be:'
She shrugged: II didn't expect to
be happy .
"Oh-you did. Everyone is afraid
starting on a new venture"
A smile touched dreamily on the
blue fires of her eyes.
The strangest thing Of all about
marriage is that it turns out not 10
be strange at all. i feel as though
I had been born married. / feel as
much at peace with you and love
ard all these trivial attentions as !
do with my own eyes.
Then are you glad you asked me
20 marry youI" The teasing merry
twinkle settled gaily on his lips .
then gobered: 81 wonder what would
have happened, Nora Lee. il you
hadn't done that brave thing. For
it was brave"
Wouldn't you ever have come to
ne. Dane|
He dug Que oar in the pebbly bank
and swung the boat 10 the shore
I'D have come IL I'd known-but
how could I suppose you'd want me
when you had much better cbances;'
RETROSPECT
She raised her eyebrows and shook
the curls from her forehead: You
knew very well, my humble Dam,
that you din't think / ever had half
as good q chance as yourself"
he laughed: Then you're pleased
with your selection: ! want aw-
fully 10 make you happy. Nora Lee"
That brought a sudden lump to
her throat. She stood up, taking
the hand he reached 10 her,
mighty pride in his cleancut young
uess-the strength and sweetness Of
bis face, filling her heart as though
she were his mother, not bis wife.
She kept looking at him. winkins
and laughing and saying giddily: do
you. Dane: Do you want 10 make
me happy. most or do you most want
TO be happy yourselfT'
II grew swiftly dusk. They stood
in grove Of trees, watching the
twilight drawing a robe Of amber
over the dark. ripping waters.
"Oh, which, DsDe-yourself Of
me-
lie took her hands and closed
them under his, drawing Der 50
near she felt bis breath in her face.
He said solcmnly-with that deep
b0yish earnestness as when he gave
Der his picture and asked her please