ver and ever. We'll live at the Halfway House. Don't shiver,
child; I've built a fine new house there--"

"You've built a house?"

"Yes, yes. Well, I'll confess it--I bought the place myself."

"Then it was your money?"

"And it is your money."

"I've a notion," began Mary Ellen, edging away, biting her lip.

"And so have I," said Franklin, stooping and kissing her fingers with
scandalous publicity. "I've a notion that you shall not speak of that.
It is ours. We've more than a thousand acres of land there, and plenty
of cattle. Curly shall be foreman--he's married the little waiter
girl, and has come back to Ellisville; they live next door to Sam and
Nora. Aunt Lucy shall be our cook. We shall have roses, and green
grass, and flowers. And you and I--you and I--shall live and shall do
that which has been sent to us to do. Mary Ellen--dear Mary Ellen--"

Again the girl threw up her head, but her pride was going fast.

"Then--then you think--you think it is no sin? Is there no lapse in
this for me? You think I shall not be--"

Franklin drew her closer to him. "That which is before us now is
Life," he said. "Dearest, how sweet--how very sweet!"

A caged mocking bird at a little near-by house burst out into a shrill
paean, fellow to that of the wild bird of the oaks. Mary Ellen felt
her senses melting into a mysterious, bewildering joy. Unconsciously
she swayed slightly against the shoulder of her lover. In her heart
the music of the bird thrilled on, even when the tinkle of the little
bell ceased, even when Franklin, stepping from the car, held up his
hands to her and whispered, "Come."

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GIRL AT THE HALFWAY HOUSE***

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