I should have liked the walk immensely, said Luke, brightening up at the warmth of his reception, and he wrung the others hand.
Schoolmastering dont improve thy looks, Luke, my lad, continued the Churchwarden. Why, you are as pale as if you had been
youre the best, and dearest, and truest, and sweetest, and most innocent-hearted of girls that I love you more dearly than ever, and that Ive been a miserable wretch ever since last night.
Dont do that, Luke, she said, as he literally went upon his knees; it hurts me.
And Id suffer anything sooner than give you a moments pain, he cried, springing to his feet; and they stood now in the middle of the old parlour. But you havent forgiven me, Sage, he said, piteously.
Yes, Luke, Ive forgiven you, but I want you to know and trust me better. Your words seemed so cruel to me, and if you knew me you would not have said them. I did not know that Cyril Mallow when he called did so that he might see me, and we hardly exchanged a dozen words.
And if you had exchanged a thousand, sweet, what then? cried Luke, proudly. I was a jealous idiot, and ought to have known better; but it has been a lesson to me on my weakness, and now I am going to wait patiently till I can say what your uncle wishes.
Sage was silent, for she was thinking it was her duty to tell him that, after the sad little trouble that had come between them, it would be better for them to be more distant for a time; but she could not say it with his eyes looking appealingly at her. She had felt so proud of him for his manly bearing and straightforward honesty of purpose. The words would not come, and somehow the next minute she was sobbing in his arms as he whispered those two words, but in such a tone
My darling!
She started from him guiltily the next moment, and ran up-stairs, and stayed till there was a fresh crunching of wheels and the trampling of a horses hoofs, when she came down again to welcome her sister and her husband, John Berry a bluff, middle-aged farmer to whom Rue had been married some five years, and they had come now to spend a few days, bringing their two little girls.
Ah, Luke, my man of wisdom, how are you? Sage, my dear, give us a kiss. Bless you, how well you look. How am I? Hearty, and sos Rue.
Sage was kissing her sister affectionately the next moment, heartily glad to see her looking so rosy and well, but blushing redder as she whispered merrily
Oh! I am sorry we came and interrupted you. You look so guilty, Sagey. Whens it to be?
Not for years to come, dear, said Sage, as she busied herself with Lotty and Totty, their two golden-haired little children, who were so wrapped up that they were, as John said, warm as toasts.
He plumped himself into a chair directly, to take one on each knee. Then Sage and Rue busied themselves in taking off pelisses and woollen leggings, and reducing the little things into a less rounded shape, while John sat as stolid and serious as a judge, evidently being very proud of his two little ones, as he was of his handsome young wife.
And now, John, youd like a tankard of ale, wouldnt you? cried Sage.
Well, I dont know, said John, quietly; a mug of squires ale is nice, if Luke there will have one too.
Oh! Ill join, said Luke, heartily; and, after drawing it, Sage went up with Rue to her room, and she began to tease her about Luke, but ended with an affectionate embrace.
Id marry him any time, dear, she said, for I think hes a good fellow, and if you are as happy as I am with dear old John you will be satisfied.
But uncle has said that it is not to be till Luke has five hundred a year, said Sage, dreamily, and that will not be for a long time; and and, Rue, dear, she faltered, I I dont think I feel quite happy about it.
Stuff and nonsense, Sagey! Uncle will come round. He wants to see us quite happy.
But you misunderstand me, dear, said Sage, thoughtfully. I mean that Im half afraid Im not doing right in letting Luke Ross believe I love him, because because
Because because you are a goose, cried Rue, merrily. I felt just the same about John, and was ready to break it off, and now I think him the dearest and best fellow under the sun. Sage, dear.
Yes, Rue.
You are in the sugar-plum stage just now, and dont know your own mind. I like Luke Ross. Hes frank and straightforward. Dont play with him, for hes a man to be trusted, and youre lucky to have him care for you.
Yes, I suppose so, said Sage, dreamily; but it is not to be for a long time yet.
As she spoke she was thinking of the past, and her sisters love affair with Frank Mallow, who used to follow her whenever she was out for a walk; and then about the trouble at the rectory, when Frank Mallow went off all on a sudden. Of how poor Rue was nearly heartbroken, and used to tell Sage that she would go after him if he sent for her; but he never even wrote to her in spite of all his professions; and then they learned how badly he had behaved;
and after that Rue never mentioned his name but in a quiet subdued way, and at her uncles wish accepted John Berry a man of sterling qualities and she had grown brighter and happier ever since she had been his wife.