"
"What if my father were not really dead?--I think of this
sometimes in the night!--What if he should wander back, broken in
spirit, feeble in body, empty in purse?"
"I do not come to you free of burdens. If my father is deserted
by all, I must see that he is made comfortable. He never treated
me like a daughter, but I acknowledge his claim."
"Mine is such a gloomy house!"
"Will it be gloomy when I am in it?" and Waitstill, usually so
grave, laughed at last like a care-free child.
Ivory felt himself hidden in the beautiful shelter of the girl's
love. It was dark now, or as dark as the night ever is that has
moonlight and snow. He took Waitstill in his arms again
reverently, and laid his cheek against her hair. "I worship God
as well as I know how," he whispered; "worship him as the maker
of this big heaven and earth that surrounds us. But I worship you
as the maker of my little heaven and earth, and my heart is
saying its prayers to you at this very moment!"
"Hush, my dear! hush! and don't value me too much, or I shall
lose my head--I that have never known a sweet word in all my life
save those that my sister has given me.--I must tell you all
about Patty now."
"I happen to know more than you, dear.
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