All for a Scrap of Paper: A Romance of the Present WarHocking, Joseph
General
All for a Scrap of Paper: A Romance of the Present War
Hocking, Joseph
World War, 1914-1918 -- Fiction
They were sitting beneath the shadow of the rock now, and Nancy was
rearranging her hat. She did not reply, but her eyes were full of
gladsome mischief as she looked at him.
"I mean just now, when--when you said you had been telling me that you
loved me, but I hadn't asked for something. What was it?"
"You've made up for it since," and there was a laugh in her voice.
"Do you mean that you wanted me to kiss you? Oh, you are right, Nancy,
I am an awful coward, but I'll make up for lost time now."
The sea continued to roll on the great rugged rock, which threw its
mighty head far out into its depths. Overhead the sea-birds hovered,
sailing with graceful motion over the silvery waters, and uttering
their mournful cry, while far out vessels ploughed their way up and
down the Atlantic; but neither noticed. They were happy in each
other's love. Nancy had forgotten the fact that Robert Nancarrow was
not the kind of man she had meant to love, while he was far too happy
to care for the lecture she had given him. Her kisses were warm upon
his lips, her words of love rung in his ears. They were in the
dreamland of happy lovers, while the sky of their lives was as free
from clouds as the great dome of blue overhead. He was the only man
she had ever loved, or ever could love, while to him the maid, wilful
and passionate though she might be, was perfect. What were books,
learning, and the fame of scholarship to him now? He had won the love
of the girl whom for years he had loved, and ever despaired of winning.
She, who had seemed so far away from him, so far above him, had come to
his arms, willingly, gladly. She, with her proud old name, and almost
lordly wealth, had chosen him, and forgotten everything in her choice.
It seemed too wonderful to be true, and he looked at her again and
again in his wonder, proud beyond all words, yet almost afraid to
believe in his good fortune.
"Oh, Nancy, you are beautiful!"
The light of joy flashed from her eyes. What girl is there beneath the
all-beholding heavens who does not long to know that the man she loves
thinks her beautiful?--Who does not long for him to tell her?
"And what a lovely dress you are wearing."
"I've worn it three times since you came down from Oxford, and you've
never once mentioned it."
"I never saw it as I see it now. I never saw as I see you now. Nancy,
there's no one like. Bless you, my love, for loving me."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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