It was short--my little romance, Short--but God--how good! Went along as smooth as a dance, Part us? It seemed no one could. But someone did--tho' I forgive, He loved her as did I, For her only--did I live, And now--for her I'd die! When Marie received the letter, she replied: Dear Robert, Your letter and poems received. You are again accusing me wrongfully. You are all in the wrong and until you can see your mistake, I will never think of making up. Sincerely, Marie. In September, 1926, Marie returned to school at Sherman, Texas, leaving Robert very much broken-hearted because she refused to make up. She told Robert his jealousy was wholly unfounded, but he persisted in accusing her of being in love with Edward Mason. Feeling this way, she was unable to reconcile herself and make up, so she went away, disappointed herself and leaving Robert in the same fix. Following her return to school, Robert spent many long weeks of anxiety, becoming very blue and dejected. Many letters passed between them. He wrote much poetry to Marie, all without avail. Finally, he wrote a letter and told her that it would be the last; that he knew she was in love with Edward Mason, and that there was no use going on. Dear Marie, This is to be my farewell letter to you, for I have given up hope. Ever since I first met you, you have been my ideal and my one inspiration. I have lived for you, worked for you, thought of nothing else but you. Your love has given me great encouragement to go on, and now I realize that I have lost you and that your love has been given to another. I shall always love you and hope that you will some day change your mind, and your heart turn to me. Sorrowfully, your own Robert. With this letter he sent the poems "Loved and Lost" and "Good-bye." DEDICATED TO MARIE: LOVED AND LOST It isn't failure to have lost A girl of whom you have nobly thought, If buffeted and tempest tossed, You fail to win the girl you sought. It isn't failure, though the prize In another's hand is placed; A hero very often dies If dying keeps him undisgraced. To bow unto a better man Is not the worst thing I could do, Success is not in the things we scan, But in the heart forever true, It takes more courage for to fail Than win a girl undeserved. To bear the taunts of those who rail Than from your purpose to be swerved. When a girl frowns darkly And hope is on the wane Be constant, true and patient Defeat will blossom into gain. If your aim is high and honest In victory it will tell, For before the pearl is gotten There must be a broken shell. Robert. * * * * * To Marie, GOOD BYE And now I fly to bear my wound away, Haply the future heals me of this hurt, Since, sorely wounded, I still keep today Mine honor as an armor around me girt.