Of great events stride on before the events,
And in to-day already walks to-morrow.”
He found Editha calm, but looking weary and very sad, as if the struggle of deciding had been too much for her strength.
She came and went toward him, looking so pale that she seemed more like some beautiful spirit about to fade from his sight than a woman whom he longed to call “wife.”
“I have decided, Earle,” she said, the tears shining in her eyes as she held out both hands to him in greeting.
He took them and drew her toward him, searching her fair face with his anxious eyes.
“My darling!” he said, in low, intense pleading tones.
“I am going with you,” she whispered; and his arms instantly encircled her, a low-spoken thanksgiving and blessing falling from his lips, the burden rolling from his heart.
“Papa is already so estranged from me,” she continued, “that I know I should be miserable to let you go back alone; you would be very unhappy also.”
The closer clasp of the arms infolding her confirmed the truth of her statements, and told her how very dear she was to him.