udden, passionate arms but without
attempting to touch her.

"Betty," he cried, "God knows if I'm presumptuous fool or blessed
beyond my hopes, but hear me say--I love you, for all your dainty
loveliness, your coquette airs and graces, but, most of all, for the
sweet, white, womanly soul of you. And 'tis no flame of youthful
passion this, soon to fade, 'tis a man's enduring love desiring all,
asking nothing.... I mean, Betty, whether you wed me or no, needs must
I love you to the end of time!"

"E'en though I should love and wed another?" she questioned softly.

"Aye, truly!"

"Indeed, you are nobler than I--because"--here she paused to trace out
the time-worn lettering on the dial with pink finger-tip--"because if
you should love, or wed another, then I--should die of rage and
jealousy and grief and----"

The Major's long arms were close about her and, stooping, he kissed her
again and again, her fragrant hair, her eyes, her tender mouth.

"O Betty," he sighed, "my beautiful Betty, the wonder of it!"

"O John," she sighed tremulously, "O Jack, indeed 'tis a very furious
lover you are! You make love as you fight--as if you loved it--nay,
show mercy!" He released her instantly and stood back staring down at
her with dazzled eyes.

"Am I rough?" he asked anxiously. "Dear, forgive me! But 'tis all so
strange, so unexpected, so marvellous beyond belief! There be so many
to love you that I----"

"Shall teach you what love truly is," she murmured, "And I--don't
mind--a little roughness, Jack dear!"

"God, 'tis marvellous!" said he at last, holding her away to feast his
eyes on her glowing loveliness. "'Tis passing wonderful that of all
your throng of lovers you should choose such as I--so much older, so
much----" his breath caught, the strong hands that clasped her so
tenderly quivered suddenly. "Betty," said he hoarsely, "'tis no
coquettish whim, this--no youthful fancy? You do love me indeed?" Now
seeing the haggard pleading of his eyes, the quiver of his lips and all
his shy humility, she uttered a soft cry and drawing him close,
pillowed his troubled brow against her soft cheek.

"Ah dearest," she whispered, "why must you doubt? Love for you hath
been in my heart from the first I think, though I never guessed 'twas
love until to-day. And for your age--O foolish! I would not have thee
younger by an hour and--for my love, 'tis here deep within my heart and
will but grow with length of days for to