Cut them down: I will not say one
word."
"Now, what a very woman you are, Madge! Just when you have gained
your will, you want to turn about; but, love, the trees shall not
come down. I will give them to you; and you cannot refuse my
peace-offering; and never, whilst John Greylston lives, shall an axe
touch those pines, unless you say so, Margaret."
He laughed when he said this, but her tears were falling fast.
"Next month will be November; then comes our birth-day; we will be
fifty years old, Margaret. Time is hurrying on with us; he has given
me gray locks, and laid some wrinkles on your dear face; but that is
nothing if our hearts are untouched. O, for so many long years, ever
since my Ellen was snatched from me,"--and here John Greylston
paused a moment--"you have been to me a sweet, faithful comforter.
Madge, dear twin sister, your love has always been a treasure to me;
but you well know for many years past it has been my _only_ earthly
treasure. Henceforth, God helping me, I will seek to restrain my
evil temper. I will be more watchful; if sometimes I fail, Margaret,
will you not love me, and bear with me?"
Was there any need for that question? Miss Margaret only answered by
clasping her brother's hand more closely in her own. As they stood
there in the autumn sunlight, united so lovingly, hand in hand, each
silently prayed that thus it might be with them always; not only
through life's autumn, but in that winter so surely for them
approaching, and which would give place to the fair and beautiful
spring of the better land.
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