The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-11-08

marry me. Because I love you, Bar
nabas. and because. whatever else
you may be. I know you are a man.
SO-if YOU really-vant me, dear
Barnabas. why-take me because
am just-your woman"
Want youl" he repeated, want
you-oh my Cleonei" and, with a
broken. inarticulate cry. he leaned
down and would have caught her
fiercely against his heart; but she,
ever mindful OF his wound, stayed
him with gentle hand.
oh, my dear-your shoulderl"
she whispered; and so. clasping
tender arms about him. she drew
hts weary head TO her bosom and,
holding him thus. covered him with
the silken curtain Of her hair, and
IN this sweet shade, stopped and
kissed him-his brow. his fearful
eyes, and, last of all, his mouth.
"Oh, Barnabas," she murmured,
was there ever. I wonder, a man
50 foolish and so very dear as you.
or a woman quite so proud and
happy as -"
~Proud?" he answered, but you
are a great lady. and I am only"
MY dear, 6ear-man," sighed
Cleone, clasping him a little more
closely, "so-when viii you marry
me? For, oh, my Barnabas, if
YOU must always choose to go the
harder way-you must let me tread
It with you. to the very end, my
dear, brave, honorable man."
A ND thus cid our Barnabas know,
n at last. that deep and utter
content which can come only to
those who, forgetful of soul-clogging
self and its petty vanities and
Shams. may rise above the cynical
commonplace and walk with gods.
Now. in a while, as they sat to-
gether in the soft glow of the fire,
talking very little since happiness
is beyond speech. the door opened
and closed and, glancing up, Barna-
has was aware Of the duchess stand
ing in the shadows.
NO. no-sit still, dear children"
she cried, with a hand outstretched
to each. I only peeped in to tell
you that dinner was almost ready
that is, no, I didn't. I came here
10 look for happiness and, thank
God, I've found it, You will be
married from my house in Berkeley
Square, of course. He is a great fool,
Cleone, this Barnabas Of ours-give
him a horse and armor and he
would have been a very-knightly
fool. And then-he is such a doubt
ing JOnah-no, I mean Thomas"
co, looking from one to the other,
- the duchess turned away and
left them together.
And, IN a while. looking down at
Cleone where she knelt in his en-
brace, beholding all the charm and
witchery of her, the high, proud
carriage of her head, the grace and
beauty of her shapely body, soft
and warm with life and youth, and
love, BarnabaS sighed for very hap
pineSS: whereupon she, glancing up
and meeting this look, must needs
drOop her laShes at him, and blush.
and tremble, all in a moment.
"But-you are mine" said Bar
nabas, answering the blush. Mine,
at last. for ever and always"
For ever and always, dear Bar
nabaS."
And yet" said he. his clasp tight
ening, L am so unworthy, it almost
seems that it can not possibly be
true-almOst as if it were a dream"
"Ah no, BarnabaS, surely the
dream is over and We are awake at
last to JOY and the fullness of life.
And life has given me my hearts
desire, and for you, my brave, strong,
honorable man-the future lies all
before YOU"
yes" said Barnabas. looking deep
into her radiant eyes, for me there
is the future and-you."
And thus did happiness come to
our Barnabas. when least expected,
as may it come to each of us when
We shall have proved orselveS, in
some way, fit and worthy.
THE END.