Page 168 - Fairbrass

seemed to be a hopeless one, and she should
meet another man who could offer her all

that he had lost and make her happy, she

was to consider herself entirely free.’
‘Ah, it was piteous to see how she clung
to him then, and yet it was so sweet to

hear her words of constant love,’ said the

younger Poplar.
* And he, poor fellow ! was sorely
tempted and tried,’ said the other; 4 and

indeed, Fairbrass, if it had not been for you,
I don’t know what might have happened.'

‘ For me?’ asked Fairbrass wonderingly.
‘ Yes, your poor sister at last said : “ 1

feel as though I cannot part from you ; and
if it were not for Fairbrass, I would go

down on my knees and beg you to take
me with you. But Fairbrass wants me.

It would be so cruel to leave Fairbrass/'
And he replied : u Dear little Fairbrass I

let him, my darling, teach us to do our
duty. Mine is to be manly, honourable,

and resolute—yours, to go back to Fairbrass
and your father's home/’ ’