But come what will, time and the hour run through the hardest day; the
looms suddenly stopped, the mill was locked, the crowd of workers
scattered silently and wearily, and John rode home with a sick sense of
sorrow at his heart. He had no hope that Jane would be there. He knew
the dear, proud woman too well to expect from her such an impossible
submission. Tears sprang to his eyes as he thought of her, and yet there
was set before him an inexorable duty which he dared not ignore, for the
things of Eternity rested on it.
He left his horse at the stable and walked slowly round to the front of
the house. As he reached the door it was swiftly opened, and in smiles
and radiant raiment Jane stood waiting to receive him.
"John! John, dear!" she said softly, and he took her in his arms and
whispered her name over and over on her lips.
"Dinner will be ready in half an hour," she said, "and it is the dinner
you like best of all. Do not loiter, John."
He shook his head happily and took the broad low steps as a boy
might--two or three at a time.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208