FOR ALWAYS
The unconscious pathos went straight to the boy's chivalrous heart.
" Oh, Honey ! " he cried impulsively, and taking her hand in both of his he held it tight against his breast.
Her eyes grew luminous at the word and the caress.
" Honey !" she repeated in a wondering whisper. " I like that."
Her lids lowered before the new and strange expression in his face.
" You've always seemed so independent and self-re- liant, like another fellow, somehow. I didn't know you were so sweet. I'm just finding you out."
She looked at him before replying, but he trembled be- fore the soft light shining in her eyes.
He stood for a moment uncertainly, fighting for his self-control, then, casting off restraint, he threw his arms about her, crying passionately :
" I love you ! I love you, Katie I There's nobody like you in the whole world. Kiss me — Sweet! "
She drew back startled, looking into his eyes. Her own seemed to melt under what she saw there, and she slowly lifted her lips. When she could speak —
"You'll love me for always, Hughie?"
"For always," huskily. ** For ever and ever, Katie."
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