| Show 1 ell mi 1 the light in in the clearing A TALE of the NORTH COUNTRY to in the TIME of SILAS WRIGHT by IRVING BACHELLER author of EDEN EBEN HOLDEN DIRI AND 1 I DARREL OP OF THE BLESSED ISLES KEEPING UP WITH LIZZIE etc etc copyright by irving bacheller Bc Dac heller beller CHAPTER vil VII continued a the beauty of that perfect day was upon tipon her I 1 remember that her dress was like the color of its fireweed blossoms and that the blue of its sky was in her eyes and the yellow of the sunlight in her hair and the red of its clover in her cheeks checks I 1 remember how the august breezes played with her hair flinging its golden curving strands about her neck and shoulders so that it touched my face now and then as we walked somehow the rustle of her dress started a strange vibration in my spirit I 1 put my arm around her waist w and sha put her arm around mine as we ran along A curious feeling I 1 ng came over me I 1 stopped and I 1 loosed my arm its very warm I 1 I 1 sald said as I 1 picked a stalk of fireweed what wits was there about the girl which so thrilled me with happiness she turned away and felt the ribbon by which her hair was gathered at the back of her head bead after a moment ot of silence I 1 ventured IL guess youve ne new fallen in lov loep yes tes I 1 have who with 1 I dont think I 1 dare tell you she answered slowly looking down as abe be walked ill tell you who I 1 love it if you wah ww I 1 said who you I 1 whispered the word and was afraid she would laugh at me but she we stopped and listened to the song of a aird I 1 do not remember what bird it was and then she whispered will you love me always and forever yes I 1 answered in the careless way of youth she stopped and looked into my eyes and I 1 looked into hers may I 1 kiss you I 1 ask asked ed and afraid with cheeks burning she turned away and answered 1 I guess you can it if you want to N now 0 w I 1 seem to be in Aladdin 4 tower and to see her standing so red and graceful and innocent in the sunlight and that strange fire kindled by our kisses kissed warms my blood again that night 1 heard aheard a whispered conference below after I 1 had gone upstairs I 1 knew that something was coming and wondered what it might L av PEI OF j I 1 IM will you love me always and for evert be soon uncle peabody came up to our little room looking highly serious I 1 sat half undressed and rather fearful looking into his face As I 1 think of the immaculate soul of the boy I 1 feel a touch of pathos in that scene I 1 think that lie he felt it for I 1 remember that his whisper trembled a little as he be began to tell me why men are strong and women are beautiful and given in marriage lage be railing in love one 0 awni days day he said its natural ya fl should you remember roeln kate he asked by and by 1 yes I 1 answered some day when youre a little older ill tell ye her story an see what happens when men nal an women break the law 0 god heres mr wrights letter aunt deel asked in me to give it to you to keep youre old old enough now an be coln away to school before long ion I 1 guess I 1 took the letter and rend read again tho the superscription on its envelope to master blaster barton baynes to be opened when he leaves home to go to school I 1 put it away in the pine box with leather hinges on its cover which uncle peabody had bad made tor for me and wondered again what it was all about and again that night I 1 broke camp and moved further into the world over the silent trails of knowledge uncle peabody went away for a few days after the harvesting he had gone afoot I 1 knew not where ile he returned one afternoon la in a buggy with the great michael hadet hacket of 0 the canton academy a big brawny red alred irishman with a merry he heart artand and tongue the latter having h touch of the brogue of the green isle which he had bad never seen seen tor for chehad been born in massachusetts and had bad got his bis education in harvard ile he was then a man of forty youre coming to me this fall he said as he put his bis hand on my arm and gave me a little shake lad I 1 youve got a pair of shoulders I 1 ye shall live in my house honse on an help belp with the chores if ye viba to 1 be grand said uncle peabody but as to myself just then I 1 knew not what to think of it END OF BOOK ONE |
