Where Two Ways Met (31 page)

“I couldn’t go to sleep when I’m having the time of my life now enjoying myself! There will be time enough to sleep later, I’m sure, and I like to hear you talk.”

“Well, then,” said Paige, after a pause in which he was weighing his chances, “at the risk of making you change your mind about hearing me talk, may I tell you something I’ve wanted you to know for a long time?”

“Oh,
do
!” said June eagerly.

“I
love
you, June dear. I’ve been loving you almost ever since I first saw you, and my heart has been longing for you ever since you went away. June, am I telling you too soon? Should I have waited until you know me better?”

June’s head went down on his shoulder now, and she whispered softly, “No, Paige, no. It’s not too soon. I’ve been loving you for a long time, only I was afraid you might come to love the ways of the world, and that attractive girl of the world with whom you were being thrown so much. So I didn’t dare let my heart have its way about loving you. Because in case you finally fell in love with that other girl, I didn’t want to have something to fight all the rest of my life.”

Paige took one hand off the wheel and put his arm around his dear girl.

“You darling!” he said, and leaning over, he kissed her thoroughly.

“Look out!” said June, emerging from his lips. “Don’t run up a tree to the moon, not tonight. I’d like to get home in one piece and kiss Mother once before we go on from here.”

“Yes, certainly,” said Paige, stopping his car suddenly. “We’ll pause to get ready to drive carefully the rest of the way.”

“What’s the matter?” said an anxious voice from the backseat. “Has something more happened?”

“Yes, Father,” said Paige joyously. “I’ve just stolen your daughter away. I thought you ought to know before we get home. Do you mind?”

“
Mind!
” said the bewildered father. “I mind very much. I can’t think of anything I would like better! Now, may I go on with my nap, or would you like me to drive awhile?”

“No,” laughed Paige. “I think we’ll manage without you very well. But you’re sure you aren’t going to feel badly about it when you get thoroughly awake and take it all in?”

“No, son. I’m very glad! And what’s more, Mother will be glad, too.”

“Well, I think I can safely say the same for my mother and father,” said Paige. “At least, I judge so from hints that have been dropped at our house from time to time. But now we must get on, or we won’t get home till morning. Go on back to sleep, Father, I’ll drive carefully.”

GRACE LIVINGSTON HILL (1865–1947) is known as the pioneer of Christian romance. Grace wrote over one hundred faith-inspired books during her lifetime. When her first husband died, leaving her with two daughters to raise, writing became a way to make a living, but she always recognized storytelling as a way to share her faith in God. She has touched countless lives through the years and continues to touch lives today. Her books feature moving stories, delightful characters, and love in its purest form.