A KNIGHT OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY by Edward Payson Roe (world of reading .txt) 📖

Sell Books? Then I Can Go Home With You."

 

 

 

"A Major-General Behind The Counter Selling Books Would Make A Sensation

In Town, Truly."

 

 

 

"If The People Were Of My Way Of Thinking, Miss Laura Romeyn Selling

Books Would Make A Far Greater Sensation."

 

 

 

"Very Few Are Of Your Way Of Thinking, Mr. Haldane."

 

 

 

"I Am Heartily Glad Of It," He Ejaculated.

 

 

 

"Indeed!"

 

 

 

"Pardon Me, Miss Romeyn" He Said With A Deep Flush, "You Do Not

Understand What I Mean." Then He Burst Out Impetuously, "Miss Laura, I

Cannot School Myself Into Patience. I Have Been In despair So Many Years

That Since I Now Dare To Imagine That There Is A Bare Chance For Me, I

Cannot Wait Decorously For Some Fitting Occasion. But If You Can Give Me

Even The Faintest Hope I Will Be Patience And Devotion Itself."

 

 

 

"Hope Of What?" Said Laura Faintly, Turning away Her Face.

 

 

 

"Oh, Miss Laura, I Ask Too Much," He Answered sadly.

 

 

 

"You Have Not Asked anything Very Definitely, Mr. Haldane," She

Faltered.

 

 

 

"I Ask For The Privilege Of Trying To Win You As My Wife."

 

 

 

"Ah, Egbert," She Cried, Joyously, "You Have Stood The Test; For If You

Had Shrunk, Even In your Thoughts, From Poor, Penniless Laura Romeyn,

With Her Uncle In yonder Prison, You Might Have Tried in vain To Win

Me."

 

 

 

"God Knows I Did Not Shrink," He Said Eagerly, And Reaching Out His Hand

Across The Counter.

 

 

 

"I Know It Too," She Said Shyly.

 

 

 

"Laura, All That I Am, Or Ever Can Be, Goes With That Hand."

 

 

 

She Put Her Hand In his, And Looking Into His Face With An Expression

Which He Had Never Seen Before, She Said:

 

 

 

"Egbert, I Have Loved you Ever Since You Went, As A True Knight, To The

Aid Of Cousin Amy."

 

 

 

And Thus They Plighted their Faith To Each Other Across The Counter, And

Then He Came Around On Her Side.

 

 

 

We Shall Not Attempt To Portray The Meeting Between Mrs. Arnot And One

Whom She Had Learned to Look Upon As A Son, And Who Loved her With An

Affection That Had Its Basis In the Deepest Gratitude.

 

 

 

Our Story Is Substantially Ended. It Only Remains To Be Said That

Haldane, By Every Means In his Power, Showed gentle And Forbearing

Consideration For His Mother'S Feelings, And Thus She Was Eventually Led

To Be Reconciled to His Choice, If Not To Approve Of It.

 

 

 

"After All, It Is Just Like Egbert," She Said To Her Daughters, "And We

Will Have To Make The Best Of It."

 

 

 

Haldane'S Leave Of Absence Passed all Too Quickly, And In parting He

Said To Laura:

 

 

 

"You Think I Have Faced some Rather Difficult Duties Before, But There

Was Never One That Could Compare With Leaving You For The Uncertainties

Of A Soldier'S Life."

 

 

 

But He Went Nevertheless, And Remained till The End Of The War.

 

 

 

Not Long After Going To The Front He Was Taken Prisoner In a Disastrous

Battle, But He Found Means Of Informing His Old Friend Dr. Orton Of The

Fact. Although The Doctor Was A Rebel To The Backbone, He Swore He Would

"Break Up The Confederacy" If Haldane Was Not Released, And Through His

Influence The Young Man Was Soon Brought To His Friend'S Hospitable

Home, Where He Found Amy Installed as Housekeeper. She Was Now Mrs.

Orton, For Her Lover Returned as Soon As It Was Safe For Him To Do So

After The End Of The Epidemic. He Was Now Away In the Army, And Thus

Haldane Did Not Meet Him At That Time; But Later In the Conflict Colonel

Orton In turn Became A Prisoner Of War, And Haldane Was Able To Return

The Kindness Which He Received on This Occasion. Mrs. Poland Resided

With Amy, And They Both Were Most Happy To Learn That They Would

Eventually Have A Relative As Well As Friend In their Captive, For Never

Was A Prisoner Of War Made More Of Than Haldane Up To The Time Of His

Exchange.

 

 

 

Years Have Passed. The Agony Of The War Has Long Been Over. Not Only

Peace But Prosperity Is Once More Prevailing Throughout The Land.

 

 

 

Mr. And Mrs. Arnot Reside In their Old Home, But Mrs. Egbert Haldane Is

Its Mistress. Much Effort Was Made To Induce Mr. Growther To Take Up His

Abode There Also, But He Would Not Leave The Quaint Old Kitchen, Where

He Said "The Little Peaked-Faced chap Was Sittin' Beside Him All The

Time."

 

 

 

At Last He Failed and Was About To Die. Looking Up Into Mrs. Arnot'S

Face, He Said:

 

 

 

"I Don'T Think A Bit Better Of Myself. I'M Twisted all Out O' Shape. But

The Little Chap Has Taught Me How The Good Father Will Receive Me."

 

 

 

The Wealthiest People Of Hillaton Are Glad To Obtain The Services Of Dr.

Haldane, And To Pay For Them; They Are Glad To Welcome Him To Their

Homes When His Busy Life Permits Him To Come; But The Proudest Citizen

Must Wait When Christ, In the Person Of The Poorest And Lowliest, Sends

Word To This Knightly Man, "I Am Sick Or In prison"; "I Am Naked or

Hungry."

Imprint

Publication Date: 08-19-2014

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