The Swindler and Other Stories Part 81

It's a nice, fine mornin', isn't it? And that's all we want. Let's have some breakfast, and then go and get married!"

Ruth raised her head with a gasp. Unexpected as was the whole turn of events, she was utterly unprepared for this astounding suggestion.

"But--but--" she faltered.

And then for the first time she saw Tots's eyes, opened wide and looking at her with an expression there was no mistaking. He took her face between his hands.

"Yes, I know all that," he said, speaking below his breath. "But it doesn't count, dear--believe me, it doesn't. The only thing that is really indispensable, we have. So why not--make that do?"

"Oh, I don't know," she gasped. "I don't know."

She was quivering as a harp quivers under the fingers of one who knows, and her whole soul was thrilling to the wild, tumultuous music that he had called into being there. It was almost more than she could bear--this miracle that had been wrought upon her. Tots's eyes still held her own, and it was as if thereby he showed her all that was best in life.

"Why not?" he said again very softly.

And suddenly she realised overwhelmingly how close his lips were to her own. In that moment she also knew that greater thing which is immortal.

And so she answered him at last in his own words, with a rush of pa.s.sionate willingness that swept away all fear:

"Why not?"

As their lips met, it seemed to her that her eyes were opened for the first time in her life; and everywhere--above, around, within her--were living sparks, dazzling, wonderful, unquenchable, of the Eternal Flame.

THE END

ETHEL M. DELL'S NOVELS

THE LAMP IN THE DESERT

The scene of this splendid story is laid in India and tells of the lamp of love that continues to s.h.i.+ne through all sorts of tribulations to final happiness.

GREATHEART

The story of a cripple whose deformed body conceals a n.o.ble soul.

THE HUNDREDTH CHANCE

A hero who worked to win even when there was only "a hundredth chance."

THE SWINDLER

The story of a "bad man's" soul revealed by a woman's faith.

THE TIDAL WAVE

Tales of love and of women who learned to know the true from the false.

THE SAFETY CURTAIN

A very vivid love story of India. The volume also contains four other long stories of equal interest.

The Way of an Eagle

The Knave of Diamonds

The Rocks of Valpre

The Swindler

The Keeper of the Door

Bars of Iron

Rosa Mundi

The Top of the World

The Obstacle Race