"Oh, Abraham," she whispered, "do you love me so much—so very much."
"Love you?" he said half defiantly. "You cannot know, for you have not starved for it as I have. I love you, Ann Rutledge—not for a week or a month, or a year, but until this mortal shall have put on immortality; for if souls are immortal as you have taught me, love is eternal."
A moment longer they stood in each other's arms. Then he held her away from him, looked at her and in serious tones said, "Sing for me, Ann: just one stanza of that good old hymn, 'This is the way I long have sought.'"
"Hear Ann," Mrs. Rutledge said to her husband as the old-time music of happy laughter sounded on the stillness of the night.
"Good for Abe!" he answered drowsily; "let them alone."
"HE'S RUINT HISSELF FOREVER"
There was no one in New Salem surprised when it began to be whispered about that Abe Lincoln was setting up to Ann Rutledge.