Page 228 - The snake's pass

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216 THE snake's pass.
my footsteps in the lane, and when I arrived at the
gate she was there to meet me. She said, "Good
morning," shyly, as we shook hands. For an instant
she evidently feared that I was going to kiss her, there
in the open where someone might see ; but almost as
quickly she realized that she was safe so far, and we
went up to the cottage together. Then came my reward;
for, when the door was closed, she put her arms round
my neck as I took her in my arms, and our lips met
in a sweet, long kiss. Our happiness was complete.
Anyone who has met the girl he loved the day after
his engagement to her, can explain why or how—if any
explanation be required.
Joyce was away in the fields. We sat hand in hand,
and talked for a good while ; but I took no note of
time.
Suddenly Norah looked up. " Hush ! " she said.
" There is a step in the boreen
; it is your friend, Mr.
Sutherland." We sat just a little further apart and
let go hands. Then the gate clicked, and even I heard
Dick's steps as he quickly approached. He knocked at
the door we both called out " Come in " simultaneously,
;
and then looked at each other and blushed. The door
opened and Dick entered. He was very pale, but in a
couple of seconds his pallor passed away. He greeted
Norah cordially, and she sweetly bade him welcome
;
then he turned to me:
" I am very sorry to disturb you, old fellow, but would
you mind coming down to Murdock's for a bit? There