Whither wander all these fair things, to some land beyond life’s sea?
Is there nothing glad and lasting in this weary world for me?”
Never until that moment did John Dinsmore realize how deeply he had learned to love the girlish bride who had just fled from him, crushing his heart and wrecking his life so cruelly.
For the second time in his life he had been ruthlessly hurt by the woman to whom he had allowed his honest heart to go out in abounding love.
He heard a rustle beside him, and raising his death-white face quickly, he saw Queenie standing before him.
“I know all, John—Mr. Dinsmore,” she murmured, “and I pity you from the depths of my heart. If I could give my life to bring her back to you, if you love her, I would gladly do it. And yet, she’s not worthy of such terrible grief as you are enduring.”
Alas! in that hour of his bitter woe, how sweet was Queenie’s sympathy, which was indeed balm to his wounded, bleeding heart.
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE LOVE THAT WILL NOT DIE.
“Oh, answer, love, my pleading!
The precious moments pass;