Marie wrote of her plans for the future. How she hoped to live to see him the greatest man in the world; how she wanted to one day bring him before her father and show him what her love and confidence in a poor boy had done for him. She wanted her father to be proud of Robert as she was. After all the success she wanted them to be able to enjoy the closing years of their lives in peace and quiet together, where they could reminisce over the trials, troubles and obstacles overcome which had led to the victory which is always the fruit of true and lasting love. Here follows a poem--"After the Years--Quiet." AFTER THE YEARS--QUIET At last--after the years have wrought their will, Go build a house of solace for thyself; With things that pleasure thee its rooms upfill-- Turn thy soft light; a rose jar on thy shelf. Have there the books thou wilt not read again, So well thou knowest all of their magic old; Have there the lute that silent shall remain, Thy heart all music from its tones of gold. And dream beside thy fire; dream of the guest That cometh now no more--yet he is there, If so thy soul would shape him, and thy rest And dream--within a dream with thee will share. Have there all things thou countest as thine own; And what thou wouldst have had--there let it be. But what thou wouldst not let it pass unknown, After the years have wrought their will on thee. And take no more a burden on thy heart, Wrestling--if this be good--if that be ill; And strive no more to better what thou art; With consolation thy whole being fill. And so with quiet lapping thee around, A presence like a God's thy house shall fill, But question not thereof nor even pray, For importuning words such joy might mill. Build thee that house of solace--out of sight; A charm above the door and on the sill, And trouble shall go by thee. 'Tis thy right-- At last--after the years have wrought their will. Edith M. Thomas. Robert sent Marie an article entitled, "A Standard" by Christian D. Larson. He told her that this was going to be his standard for the future, and that following this standard with her love and faith he would accomplish everything that she hoped for him to. A STANDARD To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To make all your friends see that there is something in them. To look at the funny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.