She paused, brushed a tear from her cheek, and with sweet reproach quietly added:
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? We've lost so many beautiful days that might have been perfect—"
He suddenly stooped and kissed her full lips.
"We'll not lose any more—"
"The world is beautiful, isn't it, dear!" she said, nestling closer.
"Since I see with your eyes—yes. It was only a place to fight in, before. Now it's a fairy world, and these wild flowers that cover the plains only grow to make a carpet for the feet of the girl I love—"
"A fairy world—yes—" she whispered, "it's been just that to me since I first sang the 'Fairy Bells' for you—"
"I'll never love another song as that," he said reverently.
"Nor I," was the low response. "My heart will beat to its music forever—it just means you, now—"
For a long time they sat without words, holding each other's hand. The sun hung a glowing ball of fire on the rim of the far-away hills, and the shadows of the valley deepened into twilight.