Zula Part 53

"No."

"Well, you will see him, for he is coming to see you, I know."

"How do you know?"

"You see I know, because every day when the sun goes down, Ross would come out and sit on the steps, or the well-curb, or somewhere down by the old house."

"Why, Bessie, how you talk!"

"Oh, it's as true as can be; as true as the stars."

"How do you know that the stars are true?"

"Why, they are always there, looking down on us, ain't they? They never fail, unless there is a cloud comes between, and then their bright eyes are gone. Don't you know that is true?"

"Perhaps it is."

"And what I tell you is true, and when Ross comes you will know it."

"What do you mean, Bessie?"

"I mean that Ross will come some time after the sun has gone to bed, and he will tell you all about love."

"Hush, Bessie."

"No, I will not hush, for I know he will come. Oh, but he will," she said, pointing her finger at Blanche. "Now you are ashamed; you think it is foolish to love, but I can tell you it is beautiful; there is always a story goes with it, too, that you can't help believing, and you just let Ross tell it to you and see if I did not tell you true."

"Bessie, why do you think this?"

"Why, I know he will; but don't you believe a word--not if you can help it. You see I believed so long, and then at last I found he lied; so don't you believe Ross, will you?"

"I guess not."

"You must be sure. Now I'm going away because he wants you to be all alone when he tells you that story."

"Bessie, you have a very foolish idea in your head," Miss Elsworth said, as they entered the old house.

"But don't you call me crazy."

"Bessie, your brother will not talk to me of love; he has never mentioned it to me."

"Well, you see, he was afraid; he says you are a famous woman."

"No, I am not famous, and if I were, what of it?"

"That's what I say. I ain't a bit afraid of you if you are crazy. Ross is a coward to be afraid of a robin," Bessie said, as she sat down beside Blanche and looked into her face with a sweet smile. "I'd let him tell, just to hear how lovely it sounds, because, you see, you don't know; you never loved anybody, did you?"

"Oh, yes, I have loved a great many people."

"But you never loved only one so much that you could just die for him, did you?"

Blanche Elsworth was looking steadily out of the window, and she made no reply to Bessie's random talk.

"Say, did you, now?" Bessie asked again. "Then you need not answer. I know, I know!"

"What do you know?"

"I know you love Ross, but you must not believe him."

"Let us talk about something else, Bessie."

"No, I won't. I mean to talk about love--but I'm going now."

"May I go with you?"

"No, you want to see Ross."

"I think you can go alone, Bessie."

"I will," she said. "Now watch me run," and away she sped ere Blanche had time to think what she was doing.

The sun had gone down, and Blanche was sitting on an old tree that had fallen by the side of the little stream that ran through the ravine.

She was watching the bright colors which blended so beautifully above the tall tree tops, and she was thinking that with a world so full of beauty all around there should be more happiness. Blanche looked up at the richly glowing sky, then down at the clear little stream at her feet.

"Well, upon my word."

"What is the matter, Mrs. Morris?"

"Well, if you ain't the funniest woman, settin' out here on a tree among the birds and the bugs."

"Is there anything you want?" asked Blanche.

"Why, I thought if there wasn't anything to do I'd run up to the other house."

"You may go," said Blanche, who was in a thinking mood, and glad to be left alone.

Mrs. Morris walked away, and Blanche had just fallen into a deep study when she looked up and saw Ross Graves coming toward her.

"May I take a seat here?" he asked, pointing to the old log where she sat.

"Certainly," she said, pleasantly.

"You have chosen a very quiet spot for visiting yourself, Miss Elsworth."

"It is a lovely one," she replied. "I enjoy this extreme quiet."

"I suppose," he said, smiling, "that you are never alone."

"No," she said, looking up and returning the smile. "I am usually surrounded with those who are holding an imaginary conversation with me."