She was allowed to do so finally;
and when she was drawn into the outstretched arms, there was only the long
silence of love.
Kemp had left the room with Dr. Stephens, having a further favor to intrust
to him. The short announcement of this marriage, which Dr. Stephens gave
for insertion in the evening papers, created a world of talk.
When Kemp re-entered, Levice called him to him, holding out his hand. The
doctor grasped it in that firm clasp which was always a tonic.
"Will you kneel?" asked Levice; Kemp knelt beside his wife, and the old
father blessed them in the words that held a double solemnity now: --
"'The Lord bless thee and keep thee.
"'The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee.
"'The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.'"
"I think if you don't mind, dear, I shall close my eyes now," he said as
they arose.
Ruth moved about, closing the blinds.
"Don't close out all the sun," said her father; "I like it, --it is an old
friend. After all, I don't think I'll sleep; let me lie here and look at
you all awhile. Louis, my boy, must you go?"
"Oh, no," he replied, turning back from the door and gliding into a chair.
"Thank you; and now don't think of me. Go on talking; it will be a
foretaste of something better to lie here and listen.
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