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 a perfectly ripened piece of fruit, browned and weathered by sun and wind, firm and solid to the core. Just the sight of him had an invigorating effect on her.

His hands were clasped now about his knees as he sat upon the ground, head thrown back against the trunk of the pine, gazing up into its needles. He was dark, very dark. His eyebrows were like the outspread wings of a black raven, and there was always that dark, violet bloom on his close-shaven cheeks, with a deep red glow underneath. Like red wine glowing in old bottles when you hold them up to the light, thought Sheilah. How surprised he'd be, if he knew she was making similes about him!

How surprised she'd be, if she knew he was making similes about her!

She had tossed aside her hat. The sun was shining on her hair. He had seen gold-brown meadows in the fall, silvered with frost, shine like that in the early morning. Strange to find beauty in the silver in a woman's hair! To discover in the wake of her disappearing youth, loveliness and charm!

He had always taken it for granted that freshness, vivid coloring, firm, white, solid flesh appealed to him most, but to his surprise he discovered he was delighted by this woman's blent tones and faded color-