"Oh, Jim, when did you see this?"
Stuart's head bent low and rested between his hands.
"I loved such a little girl once, dear——"
Harriet's face suddenly flushed with joy. It was too wonderful to be true, but it was true! And he had chosen this curious way to tell her. Her voice sank to the softest whisper as she bent closer:
"And you love her still, Jim?"
His head drooped lower as he sighed:
"I loved and lost her, little pal! She was married two days ago. God called me in the morning of life to claim my own. But I wasn't bold enough. I waited, and worldly wisdom, prudence, and common sense became her tutors to make her wise. She came to the great city, learned its ways and sold herself for gold. A priest of God standing before his altar confirmed the sale while a crowd of fools looked on in awe——"
The colour had slowly returned to the little freckled face with its crown of golden hair, and the deep brown eyes overflowed with tears for just a moment. She brushed them away before he raised his head, so that he never knew.
She put her hand on his head and stroked the dark hair tenderly.
"I'm so sorry, Jim," she said simply, "I understand now."