He caught and stayed her hand. "I don't care!" she cried
almost passionately. "Come, let us go in and end this foolish
talk."
"But I do care," he replied, taking the shears from her, yet
retaining her hand in his strong grasp. "I helped you plant this
tree, and whenever you see it, whenever you care for it, when, in
time, you sit under its shade or wonder at its autumn hues, I wish
you to remember that I told you of my love beside it. Dear little
girl, do you think I am such a blind fool that I could spend this
long day with you at your home and not feel sorry that I must ever
go away? If I could, my very touch should turn the sap of this
maple into vinegar. To-day I've only tried to show how I can work
for you. I am eager to begin again, and for life."
At first Sue had tried to withdraw her hand, but its tenseness
relaxed. As he spoke, she turned her averted face slowly toward
him, and the rays of the setting sun flashed a deeper crimson into
her cheeks. Her honest eyes looked into his and were satisfied.
Then she suddenly gathered the young tree against her heart and
kissed the stem she had so nearly severed.
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