"
"They have drunk yours and your thorns shall be mine."
They stood at the gap in the fence. "Yes," he said, "when I have more
than I can take care of. The fact is--what shall I call you?"
"Mary," she answered.
"Mary," he repeated. "It is sweet with the memory of many a home and
hallowed by the Christian's hope. And, Mary, when I come back I will
bring a preacher and a paper from the law. You understand?"
"Yes, I understand, and the understanding is beautiful and precious."
She stood so near and he was so lost--so near that her lips were close
to his and he kissed her and started as if the earth had shaken beneath
his feet.
"And--and now, Mary, I won't have to beg your pardon when I call you by
pet names."
"No, Jim."
"And we will surprise them, Mary."
"Yes, Jim."
He kissed her again and hastened down the road. She looked after him
until his head sank down behind a hill, and then for a long time she
stood there, leaning upon the fence, and suddenly, with her hands
clasped, she cried: "Oh, miracles were wrought in the wilderness.
Pages:
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202