Page:Daskam Bacon--Whom the gods destroy.djvu/240

 no breeze, and everything in the garden listened, listened, for what she would say."

But nothing in the garden could hear," said the old man eagerly, because she only whispered!"

"Was it then that her mother called?" asked the youth.

"Yes," said the old man, and he smiled. But we did not come, for Rachel was afraid to go. She thought her mother would not like to have her leave the old home. And she feared to tell her that she wanted to go. So we sat like silly children in the dark. You see, I was afraid, too. Her father and mother were old and old people cannot know how we feel when love first comes to us—and yet they loved, once!"

"Yes, they loved once," said the youth, "but they forget. They think of lands and money and the most prudent course—they cannot fed their heart's blood rushing through their veins, surging in their ears, 'She loves me!' They cannot feel that one hour with her is dearer than years with the others of the world!"