The Beggar Man
little cry. "Oh, but it's lovely! lovely!" She had forgotten her shyness. She was running round the room like a delighted child looking at the pictures and ornaments with which it was filled. He made her drink a glass of wine and eat some cake, but all the time her eyes were wandering round the room, lost in admiration. He watched her with a chagrined smile. Surely this was the oddest of wedding days, he thought. A shabby little bride, who had no eyes for her groom, but who sat and stared with rapt attention at such things as chairs and pictures and ornaments. And the time was flying--flying. He looked impatiently at the clock, and then at the girl who was now his wife. And suddenly it was he who felt shy and tongue-tied. She met his eyes and flushed, without knowing why, and the Beggar Man rose to his feet and went round the table to where she sat. "You're my wife now, you know," he said. "Yes." She drew back a little, her eyes dilating, and he broke out again abruptly: "I wish I'd arranged to take you with me. I was a fool. It could have been managed. Will you come if even now I can take you?" She gave a little cry of alarm. "Oh, no, I couldn't. There's mother...." He turned away with a little harsh laugh. "I see. Your mother and the twins," he said dryly. "They all come before me, who am only your husband." She looked at him with puzzled eyes, and, vaguely realizing that in some way he was hurt, she said apologetically: "But I've known you such a little time." He echoed her words ironically. "Yes! You've known me such a little time." Then he laughed, more naturally, and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you're my wife anyway. Nothing can alter that. And when I come back...." he paused. "Yes," Faith echoed, "when you come back...." "Then," he said again slowly, "I'll teach you to think more of me than you do either of your mother--or the twins!" There was the faintest note of fun in his voice though his eyes were grave, and Faith smiled, relieved. "I love mother best in the whole world," she said seriously. The Beggar Man nodded. "Some day you will love me best," he said. He took both her hands, drawing her to her feet. "So, it's good-bye for a little. It's all been such a rush; but I've done the best I can. My lawyers know all about our marriage, and if anything should happen to me you'll be all right. Shawyer will look after you if you want any help. Here's his address." He put an envelope into her hand. "There's some more money, too--enough to keep you going till I'm back." Faith took the envelope, which felt extravagantly bulky. "I haven't spent what you gave me yesterday," she reminded him. "But you soon will," he answered. "Once you start shopping." There was a little silence, and they looked at one another shyly. Then the Beggar Man said, with an 
 Prev. P 23/130 next 
Back Top
Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact