Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/243

 sand reefs and breaking in white thundering spray at my feet, I stood there on a sand dune on our wild coast and gazed entranced for an hour without moving. Of all the things God ever made on this earth I love the waters of the sea, and all moving water suggests it to me. That river says, I must hurry to the sea!"

"It is strange we should have such similar tastes, she said seriously. But it did not seem strange to him. Somehow he expected to find her agree with every whim and fancy of his nature.

"Now we will find Mama. She is such an invalid she rarely goes out. Papa will be home any minute."

"We are glad to welcome you Mr. Gaston," said her mother in a kindly manner. "I'm sure you've enjoyed the drive this beautiful day if Sallie hasn't been trying to tease you. The boys say she's very tiresome at times."

"Why Mama, I'm surprised at you. The idea of such a thing! There's not a word of truth in it, is there, Mr. Gaston?"

"Certainly not, Miss Sallie. I'll testify, Mrs. Worth, that your daughter has been simply charming."

She ran to meet her father at the door. There was the sound of a hearty kiss, a little whispering, and the General stepped briskly into the parlour where she had left her guest.

"Pleased to welcome you to our home, young man. They say down town that you made the greatest speech ever heard in Independence. Sorry I missed it. We'll have you to dinner anyway. I knew your brave father in the army. And now I come, to think of it, I saw you once when you were a boy. I was struck with your resemblance to your father then, as now. You showed me the way down to Tom Camp's house. Don't you remember?"