“Then you do not love me,” said the lad sadly; “you could not stay away from me for years if you did care for me.”
“But, Victor, I do love you, indeed I do, but I love father, too.”
“Then you will never be my wife, Annie.”
For a moment the girl stood thinking, and even the angels in heaven wondered if she were going to do what was right.
She simply turned with the love light shining in her eyes, and laid her hand in his.
“My darling, I am yours when you are ready.”
“Then let it be to-day. Do not go back to school, but come with me, and you will never regret it.”
Regret it? Is there ever a sin in the world committed that the sinner does not regret it?
No sooner had the marriage vow been taken, no sooner had Annie Benson promised to love, honor and obey Victor Standish, than she began to regret.
“Oh, Victor, I wish father knew,” said she, “and that I was with Martha at school. The girls will all be expecting me.”