"
Poor Joe choked a little, but called up an
unexpected manliness, and added, stoutly,--
"Don't think I shall be offended at your speaking
so or saying 'No' to me,--not a bit; it's all
right, and I'm much obliged to you. I might have
known you couldn't care for such a fellow as I am,
and don't blame you, for nobody in the world
is good enough for you. I'll go away at once,
I'll try to keep my promise, and I hope you'll be
very happy all your life."
He shook Debby's bands heartily, and hurried
down the steps, but at the bottom paused and
looked back. Debby stood upon the threshold
with sunshine dancing on her winsome face, and
kind words trembling on her lips; for the moment
it seemed impossible to part, and, with an
impetuous gesture, he cried to her,--
"Oh, Dora, let me stay and try to win you!
for everything is possible to love, and I never
knew how dear you were to me till now!"
There were sudden tears in the young man's
eyes, the flush of a genuine emotion on his cheek,
the tremor of an ardent longing in his voice, and,
for the first time, a very true affection strengthened
his whole countenance.
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