It seems that will not be in this
life, but do not think I have been so blind that I did not know
my friend."
I could not answer - it was the realization of the utmost I could
hope and it came like healing to my spirit. Better that bond
between us, slight as most men might think it, than the dearest
and closest with a woman not Vanna. It was the first thrill of a
new joy in my heart - the first, I thank the Infinite, of many
and steadily growing joys and hopes that cannot be uttered here.
I bent to take the hand she stretched to me, but even as they
touched, I saw, passing behind the trees by the road, the young
man I had seen in the garden at Vernag - most beautiful, in the
strange miter of his jewelled diadem. His flute was at his lips
and the music rang out sudden and crystal clear as though a
woodland god were passing to awaken all the joys of the dawn.
The horses heard too. In an instant hers had swerved wildly, and
she lay on the ground at my feet. The music had ceased.
Days had gone before I could recall what had happened then. I
lifted her in my arms and carried her into the rest-house near at
hand, and the doctor came and looked grave, and a nurse was sent
from the Mission Hospital.
Pages:
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203