If this COULD be, Edith. Oh, if this could be, I'd
guard that dove so tenderly that not a feather should be ruffled,
and the winds of heaven should not blow too roughly on my darling.
I'd line her cage all over with gold and precious stones, but the
most costly gem of all should be the mighty unspeakable love I'd
bear to her. Aye, that I do bear her now, Edith,--my daylight, my
life. You surely comprehend me; tell me, then, can all this be?
Give me the token I desire."
He stretched out his groping hand, which swayed back and forth in
the empty air, but felt the clasp of no soft fingers clinging to
it, and a wistful, troubled look settled upon the face of the
blind man, just as a chill of fear was settling upon his heart.
"Edith, darling, where are you?" and his hand sought the ottoman
where she had been, but where she was not now.
Noiselessly, as he talked, she had crept away to the lounge in the
corner, where she crouched like a frightened deer, her flush
creeping with nervous terror, and her eyes fastened upon the man
who had repeated her name, asking where she was.
Pages:
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364