Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/374

WAR done. It can not be undone. Jonthy, don't let it be in vain! Marry her. Beat her into it if there's no other way. I would.

"Jonthy—about Evelyn a little more—I didn't know that there had been anything between you till I heard you to-night. Dear brother, even though it was all for me, it wasn't right. You let me go about loading the agony on you day by day. I didn't see a thing then. I see it all all now! And I have that to think of to the end of my days. We have never lied to each other and you'll believe me now. If I had known— But what's the use? It's too late for that. I made her love me—just carried her off of her feet. Otherwise, she would have kept on loving you. No, no, no! That would be the first lie between us, and it shall not be—even for Evelyn. And it will not make things easier. But, Jon, I didn't know. That's the only thing I can say—both at beginning and end.

"This is the longest and most mixed letter I ever wrote, Jonthy, dear. And it makes my head and heart tired. But, just at the last, a word about the fishing. Somehow, when I think of that I am not tired any more. And it seems like you'd forgive me and smile again—if we could only go fishing! Think of the fishing, Jonthy, when you read this. And a little chap riding on your back, his arms close about your neck, you holding his little fat legs 358