Part 29 (1/2)

There, with a wan smile, Angel stood; and with joy, wordless because unspeakable, they fell almost like dead things into each other's arms.

For an hour they sat thus, and never spoke a word, only stroking each other's hands and hair. It was so good for each to know that the other was alive. It took so long for the stored agony in the nerves to relax.

”I haven't eaten a morsel since Wednesday,” said Angel, at last.

”Nor I,” said Henry.

”Henry, dear, I'm sorry. I know now I was wrong. I give you my word never to doubt you again.”

”Thank you, Angel. Don't let us even think of it any more.”

”I couldn't live through it again, darling.”

”But it can never happen any more, can it?”

”No!--but--if you ever love any woman better than you love me, you'll tell me, won't you? I could bear that better than to be deceived.”

”Yes, Angel, I promise to tell you.”

”Well, we're really happy again now--are we? I can hardly believe it--”

”You didn't see me outside your house last night, did you?”

”Henry!”

”Yes, I was there. And I watched you carry the light into your bedroom, and when you came to the window to draw down the blind, I thought you must have seen me. Yes, I waited and waited, till I saw the light go out and long after--”

”Oh, Henry--you do love me then?”

”And we do know how to hate each other sometimes, don't we, child?” said Henry, laughing into Angel's eyes, all rainbows and tears.

CHAPTER XLIV

THE END OF A BEGINNING

And now blow, all ye trumpets, and, all ye organs, tremble with exultant sound! Bring forth the harp, and the psaltry, and the sackbut! For the long winter of waiting is at an end, and Mike is flying north to fetch his bride. Now are the walls of heaven built four-square, and to-day was the roof-beam hung with garlands. 'Tis but a small heaven, yet is it big enough for two,--and Mike is flying north, flying north, through the midnight, to fetch his bride.

Henry and the morning meet him at Tyre. Blessings on his little wrinkled face! The wrinkles are deeper and sweeter by a year's hard work. He has laughed with them every night for full twelve months, laughed to make others laugh. To-day he shall laugh for himself alone. The very river seems glad, and tosses its s.h.a.ggy waves like a faithful dog; and over yonder in Sidon, where the sun is building a shrine of gold and pearl, Esther, sleepless too, all night, waits at a window like the morning-star.

Oh, Mike! Mike! Mike! is it you at last?

Oh, Esther, Esther, is it you?

Their faces were so bright, as they gazed at each other, that it seemed they might change to stars and wing together away up into the morning.

Henry s.n.a.t.c.hed one look at the brightness and turned away.

”She looked like a spirit!” said Mike, as they met again further along the road.