“Because I feel that it is right.”
He had her hand imprisoned in his. She was leaning against one of his strong arms and looking up into his dark eyes, where she saw a world of tenderness and devotion.
“Don’t you love me the same as you did?” he asked anxiously.
“What a foolish question, you big, silly boy! I love you more than ever before. You don’t understand—you don’t know how much I love you!”
He thrilled as he heard her speak these words with lips that knew not insincerity or deceit. He had trusted her fully, completely, and he was certain she trusted him in the same degree. Between them there was no shadow of doubt, for “love cannot dwell with suspicion.”
“Elsie,” he urged, all palpitant with the intensity of his yearning for her, “be mine—my own little wife—and I’ll guard you and tenderly care for you until you are well and strong again. My strength shall be yours. I’ll bear you over all the rough places in life’s pathway. I’ll shield you from every chill breath of the world. You shall be, as you have been, the star of my ambition. With you near me, I’ll be encouraged and spurred on to do great things in the world. The knowledge that you trust me fully will forever guard me from my weaker self and keep me strong and true.”
Young though he was, he instinctively knew that the greatest evil that can befall a man is to be doubted or distrusted by one he deeply loves. The knowledge that a beloved one is absolute in her faith and trust in him has kept many a man true and faithful and exalted, even above his natural self; while doubt, suspicion, and distrust has ruined thousands who were naturally upright and honorable. A man with a conscience that makes him worthy to be called a man is repelled at the thought of betraying one who has proved that she loves and trusts him fully.
Bart Hodge had once been wayward and willful—even weak at times; but the friendship and trust of Frank and Elsie had fortified him against temptation and made him strong and manly in every way. He was worthy of Elsie’s love, even though she was a girl among ten thousand.
“Bart, dear,” said Elsie gently, “I have thought it all over, and I know it would be a mistake for me to attempt to pass through the strain and excitement at this time. I beg you not to urge me. As you love me, do not insist. I hope the time will come very soon when I shall feel ready to take your name. When that time comes I’ll be the happiest and proudest girl the sun ever shone on.”
A sigh of disappointment and resignation came from his fluttering heart.