She gazed away
at the glimpse of lake between the village roofs for a moment.
"Beth, have you forgotten the past?" he asked, in a voice abrupt but
gentle.
She started. She had never seen his face look so expressive. The tears
rose to her eyes as she drooped her flushing face.
"No, I have not forgotten."
"Beth, I did not love you then; I did not know what love meant--"
"Oh, don't speak of it! It would have been a terrible mistake!"
"But, Beth, can you never forgive the past? I love you _now_--I have
loved you since--"
"Oh, hush, Clarence! You _must_ not speak of love!" And she buried her
face in her hands and sobbed a moment, then leaned forward slightly
toward him, a tender look in her eyes.
"I love another," she said, in a low gentle voice.
He shielded his eyes for a moment with his fair delicate hand. It was a
hard moment for them both.
"I am so sorry, Clarence. I know what you feel. I am sorry we ever met."
He looked at her with a smile on his saddened face.
"I feared it was so; but I had rather love you in vain than to win the
love of any other woman. Good-bye, Beth."
"Good-bye."
He lingered a moment as he touched her hand in farewell.
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