A KNIGHT OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, Edward Payson Roe [top young adult novels TXT] 📗
- Author: Edward Payson Roe
Book online «A KNIGHT OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, Edward Payson Roe [top young adult novels TXT] 📗». Author Edward Payson Roe
"A Major-General Behind The Counter Selling Books Would Make A Sensation
In Town, Truly."
"If The People Were Of My Way Of Thinking, Miss Laura Romeyn Selling
Books Would Make A Far Greater Sensation."
"Very Few Are Of Your Way Of Thinking, Mr. Haldane."
"I Am Heartily Glad Of It," He Ejaculated.
"Indeed!"
"Pardon Me, Miss Romeyn" He Said With A Deep Flush, "You Do Not
Understand What I Mean." Then He Burst Out Impetuously, "Miss Laura, I
Cannot School Myself Into Patience. I Have Been In despair So Many Years
That Since I Now Dare To Imagine That There Is A Bare Chance For Me, I
Cannot Wait Decorously For Some Fitting Occasion. But If You Can Give Me
Even The Faintest Hope I Will Be Patience And Devotion Itself."
"Hope Of What?" Said Laura Faintly, Turning away Her Face.
"Oh, Miss Laura, I Ask Too Much," He Answered sadly.
"You Have Not Asked anything Very Definitely, Mr. Haldane," She
Faltered.
"I Ask For The Privilege Of Trying To Win You As My Wife."
"Ah, Egbert," She Cried, Joyously, "You Have Stood The Test; For If You
Had Shrunk, Even In your Thoughts, From Poor, Penniless Laura Romeyn,
With Her Uncle In yonder Prison, You Might Have Tried in vain To Win
Me."
"God Knows I Did Not Shrink," He Said Eagerly, And Reaching Out His Hand
Across The Counter.
"I Know It Too," She Said Shyly.
"Laura, All That I Am, Or Ever Can Be, Goes With That Hand."
She Put Her Hand In his, And Looking Into His Face With An Expression
Which He Had Never Seen Before, She Said:
"Egbert, I Have Loved you Ever Since You Went, As A True Knight, To The
Aid Of Cousin Amy."
And Thus They Plighted their Faith To Each Other Across The Counter, And
Then He Came Around On Her Side.
We Shall Not Attempt To Portray The Meeting Between Mrs. Arnot And One
Whom She Had Learned to Look Upon As A Son, And Who Loved her With An
Affection That Had Its Basis In the Deepest Gratitude.
Our Story Is Substantially Ended. It Only Remains To Be Said That
Haldane, By Every Means In his Power, Showed gentle And Forbearing
Consideration For His Mother'S Feelings, And Thus She Was Eventually Led
To Be Reconciled to His Choice, If Not To Approve Of It.
"After All, It Is Just Like Egbert," She Said To Her Daughters, "And We
Will Have To Make The Best Of It."
Haldane'S Leave Of Absence Passed all Too Quickly, And In parting He
Said To Laura:
"You Think I Have Faced some Rather Difficult Duties Before, But There
Was Never One That Could Compare With Leaving You For The Uncertainties
Of A Soldier'S Life."
But He Went Nevertheless, And Remained till The End Of The War.
Not Long After Going To The Front He Was Taken Prisoner In a Disastrous
Battle, But He Found Means Of Informing His Old Friend Dr. Orton Of The
Fact. Although The Doctor Was A Rebel To The Backbone, He Swore He Would
"Break Up The Confederacy" If Haldane Was Not Released, And Through His
Influence The Young Man Was Soon Brought To His Friend'S Hospitable
Home, Where He Found Amy Installed as Housekeeper. She Was Now Mrs.
Orton, For Her Lover Returned as Soon As It Was Safe For Him To Do So
After The End Of The Epidemic. He Was Now Away In the Army, And Thus
Haldane Did Not Meet Him At That Time; But Later In the Conflict Colonel
Orton In turn Became A Prisoner Of War, And Haldane Was Able To Return
The Kindness Which He Received on This Occasion. Mrs. Poland Resided
With Amy, And They Both Were Most Happy To Learn That They Would
Eventually Have A Relative As Well As Friend In their Captive, For Never
Was A Prisoner Of War Made More Of Than Haldane Up To The Time Of His
Exchange.
Years Have Passed. The Agony Of The War Has Long Been Over. Not Only
Peace But Prosperity Is Once More Prevailing Throughout The Land.
Mr. And Mrs. Arnot Reside In their Old Home, But Mrs. Egbert Haldane Is
Its Mistress. Much Effort Was Made To Induce Mr. Growther To Take Up His
Abode There Also, But He Would Not Leave The Quaint Old Kitchen, Where
He Said "The Little Peaked-Faced chap Was Sittin' Beside Him All The
Time."
At Last He Failed and Was About To Die. Looking Up Into Mrs. Arnot'S
Face, He Said:
"I Don'T Think A Bit Better Of Myself. I'M Twisted all Out O' Shape. But
The Little Chap Has Taught Me How The Good Father Will Receive Me."
The Wealthiest People Of Hillaton Are Glad To Obtain The Services Of Dr.
Haldane, And To Pay For Them; They Are Glad To Welcome Him To Their
Homes When His Busy Life Permits Him To Come; But The Proudest Citizen
Must Wait When Christ, In the Person Of The Poorest And Lowliest, Sends
Word To This Knightly Man, "I Am Sick Or In prison"; "I Am Naked or
Hungry."
ImprintPublication Date: 08-19-2014
All Rights Reserved
Comments (0)