This was the
work of the goddess Friga,--the first kiss exchanged by the lovers she
watched over, banished Winter from the land, and Spring came instead.
'Tis a pretty story, and true all the world over--true for all men and
women of all creeds! It must be an ice-bound heart indeed that will not
warm to the touch of love--and mine, though aged, grows young again in
the joy of my children." He put his daughter gently from him to-wards
Philip, saying with more gravity, "Go to him, child!--go--with thy old
father's blessing! And take with thee the three best virtues of a
wife,--truth, humility, and obedience. Good night, my son!" and he wrung
Errington's hand with fervor. "You'll take longer to say good night to
Thelma," and he laughed, "so I'll go in and leave you to it!"
And with a good-natured nod, he entered the house whistling a tune as he
went, that they might not think he imagined himself lonely or
neglected,--and the two lovers paced slowly up and down the garden-path
together, exchanging those first confidences which to outsiders seem so
eminently foolish, but which to those immediately concerned are most
wonderful, delightful, strange, and enchanting beyond all description.
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