Eddring looked straight on down the road ahead of them, the road which broke the rim of the forest toward which they had now unconsciously faced. At length he turned toward her.
"Miss Lady," said he, simply, "I have loved you so much, so very much. I've always loved you. I didn't dare admit it to myself for a long time; but it's run away with me now, absolutely and for ever. I can't look at life — I can't turn any way — I can't think of anything in which I don't see you. It's been this way a long time, but now I'm gone. I can't pull up. Miss Lady, I couldn't go back now and begin life over again alone. I couldn't do that now. I wouldn't want to make you unhappy, ever. Do you think, oh, don't you think that you could depend on me? Don't you think you could love me?"
Miss Lady's eyes were cast down, and her hands were busy at the reins which she shifted between her fingers. Cherry walked slowly and still more slowly, until at length Eddring laid his hand upon the bridle, and Cherry turned about an inquiring eye. He reached out his hand and took in it the small, gray-gloved one which had half-loosed its grasp upon the rein.
"Miss Lady," he whispered. And then slowly the girl lifted her eyes and looked full at him — her eyes now grown soft and gentle.
"Yes," said she, "I can depend," Her voice was very low. Yet the woman-whisper reached to the edge of all the universe — a universe robbed of its last secret by the woman-soul. "I can see you clearly," said Miss Lady, softly. "I see your heart. Yes. I am sure. I understand — I know now who I am. And I know — I know it all. All!"
"But do you love me!" he demanded; and now Cherry's nose was drawn quite over the neck of Jerry. Miss Lady would not answer that, but turned away her face, which was now very pink. "Tell me," he demanded, frowning in his own earnestness, and catching the bridle hand in a stern clasp, "may I depend? Tell me, girl. I can not wait."
MAY I DEPEND? TELL ME, GIRL. I CANNOT WAIT.
There was a gentle breeze among the tree-tops. A mocker near by trilled and gurgled. Eddring leaned forward. It seemed to him he heard a whisper which told him that he might be sure.
THE END
HEART'S DESIRE
The STORY of a CONTENTED TOWN, CERTAIN PECULIAR CITIZENS, and TWO FORTUNATE LOVERS
THE LAND OF HEART'S DESIRE
This being in Part the Story of Curly, the Can of Oysters, and the Girl from Kansas
THE DINNER AT HEART'S DESIRE
This continuing the Relation of Curly, the Can of Oysters, and the Girl from Kansas; and introducing Others
TRANSGRESSION AT HEART'S DESIRE
Beginning the Cause Celebre which arose from Curly's killing the Pig of the Man from Kansas
THE LAW AT HEART'S DESIRE
Continuing the Story of the Pig from Kansas, and the Deep Damnation of his Taking Off
EDEN AT HEART'S DESIRE
This being the Story of a Paradise; also showing the Exceeding Loneliness of Adam
EVE AT HEART'S DESIRE
How the Said Eve arrived on the Same Stage with Eastern Capital, to the Interest of All, and the Embarrassment of Some
TEMPTATION AT HEART'S DESIRE
Showing how Paradise was lost through the Strange Performance of a Craven Adam
THE CORPORATION AT HEART'S DESIRE
This being the Story of a Parrot, Certain Twins, and a Pair of Candy Legs
CIVILIZATION AT HEART'S DESIRE
How the Men of Heart's Desire surrendered to the Softening Seductions of Croquet and Other Pastimes
ART AT HEART'S DESIRE
How Tom Osby, Common Carrier, caused Trouble with a Portable Annie Laurie
OPERA AT HEART'S DESIRE
Telling how Two Innocent Travellers by Mere Chance collided with a Side-tracked Star
THE PRICE OF HEART'S DESIRE
Concerning Goods, their Value, and the Delivery of the Same
BUSINESS AT HEART'S DESIRE
This describing Porter Barkley's Method with a Man, and Tom Osby's Way with a Maid
THE GROUND FLOOR AT HEART'S DESIRE
Proposing Certain Wonders of Modern Progress, as wrought by Eastern Capital and Able Corporation Counsel