er, or whisper love words in her ear, and now
and again he walked about touching this or that familiar object and
finding new attractions in each. It was like the first coming to that
flat when the very taps over the sink had been superior to all other
taps under the rosy flicker of the new-kindled fire of love.

What an evening it was! He kept saying, breaking away from some other
thing, to say it: "I can't think this is all true. I can't think that
you are just you, and I am just I, all over again. And that we're
really going to be the two happiest souls on earth!"

He came to Grannie Amber's old rosewood piano and stood touching it
reverently. "There's a little thing I heard," he exclaimed suddenly,
"that I'd like to sing to you. It's called 'Please,' and it's just
what I'm saying to you all the time."

He sat down to vamp an odd accompaniment indifferently, but Marie was
not listening for the accompaniment. It was his voice which she
wanted, and gave her ears to hear; and he sang:

"Oh, Heart-of-all-the-World to me,
I love you more than best;
Then lie so gently in my arms
And droop your head and rest.
My kisses on your dark, dark hair
Nor Time nor tears shall grey;
_But the little wandering, laughing loves
They flower beside the way._

"Slender and straight you came to me,
And straight the path you trod;
Your faithfulness was more than faith,
Like the faithfulness of God.
I cannot pay you all I owe,
Though what I owe I pay:
_But the little wandering, laughing loves
They flower beside the way._

"So take my life, who gave me all,
Between your so small hands,
With the blind, untaught, unfaltering touch
A woman understands;
And save me, since I would be saved,
And do not let me stray
_With the little wandering, laughing loves
That flower beside the way._"

"That is the husband's 'Please,'" said Osborn, humbly.

She stood up erect, and cried out: "No one shall take what is mine!"

The door opened, and the maid stood there, saying quietly: "Dinner is
served, ma'am."

They went in hand in hand, regardless of her. They sat down and looked
at each other under pink candle-shades. The golden-brown curtains were
drawn evenly down the whole length of the much-windowed wall, and
splashed rich colour against the prevailing cream. The wedding-present
silver glittered upon the white cloth. What a dear room it was! How
happily appointed and