Part 55 (2/2)

”Patty, do you love me?” There was a note in his voice as vibrant as the second string of a cello.

”Yes.”

”Do you still believe that I am a blackguard?”

”I care not what you are or what you have been; nothing, nothing. It is only what you have been to me and what you still are. Something is wrong; something is terribly wrong; I know not what it is. Surely G.o.d would not let me love you as I do if you were not worthy.”

”No,” he replied gravely; ”G.o.d would not do that.”

The tears rolled down Patty's cheeks, but there was no sound.

”Here, Patty; read this letter which I was about to send you.”

She accepted it dumbly. Then, through her tears there came wonder and joy and suns.h.i.+ne. When she had done, he held out his hand for the letter; but she smiled and shook her head.

”No, Richard; this is my first love-letter.”

The End

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