"
"God knows, I will be different, too, Edith. You shall not be the only
generous one. I will make all the rest of life worthy of you. I will
change, too!"
"Don't you dare!" said Edith Carr, taking his head between her hands
and holding it against her knees, while the tears slid down her cheeks.
"Don't you dare change, you big-hearted, splendid lover! I am little and
selfish. You are the very finest, just as you are!"
Henderson was not talking then, so they sat through a long silence. At
last he heard Edith draw a quick breath, and lifting his head he looked
where she pointed. Up a fern stalk climbed a curious looking object.
They watched breathlessly. By lavender feet clung a big, pursy,
lavender-splotched, yellow body. Yellow and lavender wings began to
expand and take on colour. Every instant great beauty became more
apparent. It was one of those double-brooded freaks, which do occur on
rare occasions, or merely an Eacles Imperialis moth that in the cool
damp northern forest had failed to emerge in June. Edith Carr drew back
with a long, shivering breath. Henderson caught her hands and gripped
them firmly. Steadily she looked the thought of her heart into his eyes.
"By all the powers, you shall not!" swore the man. "You have done
enough. I will smash that thing!"
"Oh no you won't!" cried the girl, clinging to his hands. "I am not big
enough yet, Hart, but before I leave this forest I shall have grown to
breadth and strength to carry that to her.
Pages:
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446