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"But I don't, Leslie," cried Julia Cloud in distress "I never did!"

"Are you really true, Cloudy, dear? You're such a dear, unselfish Cloudy How shall we ever quite be sure she isn't giving him up just for us, Allison?"

"Children, listen!" said Julia Cloud, suddenly putting a quieting hand on each young hand in her lap "I'll tell you so soul"

There was that in her voice that thrilled them into silence It was as if she suddenly opened the door of her soul and let theers tightened in syreat h and think me foolish if you kne many----"

"Oh, no, Cloudy, never!" said Leslie softly; and Allison growled a dissenting note

"Well--there was some one whom I loved--who died That is all; only--I never could love anybody that way again Marriage without a love like that is a desecration"

"O Cloudy! We never knew----" murmured Leslie

"No one ever knew, dear He was very young We were both scarcely more than children I was only fourteen----"

"O Cloudy! How beautiful! And you have kept it all these years! Won't you--tell us just a little about it? I think it is wonderful; don't you, Allison?"

"Yes, wonderful!" said Allison in that deep, full tone of his that revealed ain the boy's heart

"There is very little to tell, dear He was a neighbor's son We went to school together, and sometimes took walks on Saturdays He rode me on his sled, and helped me fasten on ether e had time to play Then his people ood-by, and toldback for me some day That was all there was to it except a few little letters Then they stopped, and one day his grand the life of a little child Can you understand why I want to wait and be ready for hi God will let him co silence during which the young hands gripped hers closely, and the young thoughts grew strangely ith insight into hu out in detail just what their aunt had s that every woman hopes for, and thinks about alone with God; of love, strong care, little children, and a hoe in her heart, and had been true to her first thought of it all the years Nohen it was offered her again, she would not give up the old love for a neould not take as left of life She would wait till thebroke and her boy met her on the other shore