Page:Poet Lore, volume 35, 1924.pdf/516

 me forever. My father, whom I had considered dead for many years, alive; only to die in my arms!

Ann (Smiling with veiled bitterness).—Your greatest disappointment though was, ha, ha, ha,—this evening, when you found Julia in your arms. How you opened your eyes when you beheld the real Ann. It was wonderfully gratifying to me to know that the hugs and kisses she got were really intended for me.

Hans.—The error was easy. Your sister is the living image of you as you were the evening I went away—the very picture of you I had been carrying with me over the four quarters of the globe.

Ann.—It must have been a very light burden, seeing that you carried it so long without complaining about it.

Hans.—Besides, the mistake was only momentary.

Ann.—It lasted long enough to satisfy all concerned. I noticed Julia did not object By the way, that’s an idea! One way to make up for the lost Ann. Julia will agree I am sure, and Ann will give you both her heartiest blessing.

Hans.—Poor Ann, how you must have suffered to be able to talk thus! I owe Julia nothing. I made her no promises as I have you.

Ann.—You took your promises seriously, didn’t you? If you did not come after ten years to boast of her, we might not even have known that there was a Mrs. Hans

Hans.—Keep on, you can’t hurt me now. But I wish you to understand that there is no one that I have been all these years alone.

Ann.—You needn’t tell me that you would still be interested in me as I am now  if that were still possible. I know what I look like.

Hans.—I swear to you that I would! My faith has survived ten years.

Ann.—And I am sure you hadn’t any time for faithlessness.

Hans.—Look here, Ann! Here lies asleep before us the ocular evidence of your faith, a beautiful grown boy! In order that he be as old as he is it was necessary that your faith have a violent and sudden end, ten years ago.

Ann.—Don’t go a step farther! Don’t trample on the innocent! What right have you to blame me? You went away forever and I had nothing left. For me and for the rest of us you were dead.

Hans.—Ann!