Gladys, the Reaper

by Anne Beale

'Tell me why you went away at all, then?'

'Because Mr Owen said to me words that I knew he would be sorry for, and because I saw that you, sir, were displeased at what he said about me.'

'What did he say to you? Tell me the truth.'

'He said, sir—oh! I cannot tell. Perhaps you would be more angry with him if you knew.'

Gladys' head drooped low, and a burning blush overspread her pale face.

'I can't be much more angry with him than I am, but tell you the treuth. Did he want to marry you?'

'Yes, sir.'

'And you—what did you say?'

'That I couldn't marry any one in this world, sir.'

'What do you mean to wait for, then?'