Oh, when I think
that I will never see him again I feel as if a great
brutal hand had twisted itself among my heartstrings,
and was wrenching them. Once, long ago, I dreamed of
love--and I thought it must be beautiful--and NOW--its
like THIS. When he went away yesterday morning he was
so cold and indifferent. He said `Good- bye, Mrs.
Moore' in the coldest tone in the world--as if we had
not even been friends--as if I meant absolutely nothing
to him. I know I don't--I didn't want him to
care--but he MIGHT have been a little kinder."
"Oh, I wish Gilbert would come," thought Anne. She
was racked between her sympathy for Leslie and the
necessity of avoiding anything that would betray Owen's
confidence. She knew why his good-bye had been so
cold--why it could not have the cordiality that their
good-comradeship demanded--but she could not tell
Leslie.
"I couldn't help it, Anne--I couldn't help it," said
poor Leslie.
"I know that."
"Do you blame me so very much?"
"I don't blame you at all."
"And you won't--you won't tell Gilbert?"
" Leslie! Do you think I would do such a thing?"
"Oh, I don't know--you and Gilbert are such CHUMS.
Pages:
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291