Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/334

 "Then what ails you? Man, to hear that from such lips as she's got's music enough for a year. You want the whole regimental band to be playin' all the time. If she loves you, that's enough now to give you nerve to fight all earth and hell combined." Tom urged this with an enthusiasm that admitted no reply.

Flora had climbed in his lap, and was going through his pockets to find some candy.

"You didn't bring me a bit this time!" she cried reproachfully.

"Honey, I forgot it," he apologised.

"I don't believe you love me any more, Charlie," she declared placing her hands on his cheeks and looking steadily into his eyes. "Am I your sweetheart yet?" she asked.

"Of course, dearie, and about the only one I can depend on!"

"La, Charlie, your eyes are red!" she cried in surprise. "Do you cry?"

"Sometimes, when my heart gets too full."

"Then, I'll kiss the red away!" she said as she softly kissed his eyes.

"That's good, Flora. It will make them better.'better." [sic]

"Now, Pappy," she said triumphantly, "you say I'm getting too big to cry, and I ain't but eleven years old, and Charlie's big as you and he cries."

Tom took her in his arms and smoothed his hand over her fair hair with a tenderness that had in its trembling touch all the mystery of both mother and father love in which his brooding soul had wrapped her.

Gaston returned home with lighter step. He met, as he crossed the square, the Preacher who was waiting for him.

"Come here and sit down a minute. I've heard of your trouble. You have my sympathy. But you'll come out all right. The oak that's bent by the storm makes a fibre