The Gentleman from Indiana

"And now--" he said.

She moved backward as he leaned nearer.

"You promised to remember on the day you understood," she answered, a

little huskily, "that it was all from the purest gratitude."

"And--and there is nothing else?"

"If there were," she said, and her voice grew more and more unsteady, "if

there were, can't you see that what I have done--" She stopped, and then,

suddenly, "Ah, it would have been brazen!"

He looked up at the little stars and he heard the bells, and they struck

into his heart like a dirge. He made a singular gesture of abnegation, and

then dropped upon the bench with his head bowed between his hands.

She pressed her hand to her bosom, watching him in a startled fashion, her

eyes wide and her lips parted. She took a few quick, short steps toward

the garden, still watching him over her shoulder.

"You mustn't worry," he said, not lifting his bent head, "I know you're

sorry. I'll be all right in a minute."

She gave a hurried glance from right to left and from left to right, like

one in terror seeking a way of escape; she gathered her skirts in her

hand, as if to run into the garden; but suddenly she turned and ran to

him--ran to him swiftly, with her great love shining from her eyes. She

sank upon her knees beside him. She threw her arms about his neck and

kissed him on the forehead.

"Oh, my dear, don't you see?" she whispered, "don't you see--don't you

see?"

When they heard the judge calling from the orchard, they went back through

the garden toward the house. It was dark; the whitest asters were but gray

splotches. There was no one in the orchard; Briscoe had gone indoors.

"Did you know you are to drive me into town in the phaeton for the

fireworks?" she asked.

"Fireworks?"

"Yes; the Great Harkless has come home."

Even in the darkness he could see the look the vision had given him when

the barouche turned into the Square. She smiled upon him and said, "All

afternoon I was wishing I could have been your mother."

He clasped her hand more tightly. "This wonderful world!" he cried.

"Yesterday I had a doctor--a doctor to cure me of love-sickness!"

They went on a little way. "We must hurry," she said. "I am sure they have

been waiting for us." This was true; they had.