God will crown
Our dearest hopes if we but trust in Him.'
"We sat in silence for a little time,
And she was weeping, so I raised her face
And kissed away her tears. She softly said:
'Paul, there is something I must say to you--
Something I have no time to tell you now;
But we must meet again before you go--
Under the pines where we so oft have met.
Be this the sign,'--She waved her graceful hand,
'Come when the shadows gather on the pines,
And silent stars stand sentinel in heaven;
Now Paul, forgive me--I must say--good-bye.'
"I read her fear upon her anxious brow.
Lingering and clasped within her loving arms
I, through her dewy, deep, blue eyes, beheld
Her inmost soul, and knew that love was there.
Ah, then and there her father blustered in,
And caught us blushing in each other's arms!
He stood a moment silent and amazed:
Then kindling wrath distorted all his face,
He showered his anger with a tongue of fire.
O cruel words that stung my boyish pride!
O dagger words that stabbed my very soul!
I strove, but fury mastered--up I sprang,
And felt a giant as I stood before him.
My breath was hot with anger;--impious boy--
Frenzied--forgetful of his silvered hairs--
Forgetful of her presence, too, I raved,
And poured a madman's curses on his head.
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