"
"Oh, can it be true?" she cried, gazing at him; and neither of them saw
Old Jasper, who at this moment came through the gap. He halted and stood
perfectly still looking at them.
"You know it is true," said Tom. He put his hands upon his breast. "Why,
when I first saw you it seemed--seemed that they were lighting candles
all around in here. And Lou, you must be my wife. Don't you know it is
true?"
"Yes, I know," she replied, with her hand upon her heart, as if to calm
it; "yes, I know, but there is somethin' a flutterin' here and I'm
afraid it will fly away. But--but I love you so!"
In his arms he seized her and slowly Old Jasper came to them as they
stood, lost to all earth, and about them he put his brown arms. They
sprang apart and he took his daughter to his breast; and the boy stood
there waiting, striving to say something.
"Mr. Starbuck, I--"
"Looks like everythin' has been said," Jasper broke in; and then upon
the young fellow he cast a kindly look. "She couldn't hide that she
loved you, sir."
"I am thankful for that.
Pages:
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217