Union Pacific by Zane Grey

Author:Zane Grey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Published: 2014-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Neale’s recovery seemed a rebirth into another world—a paradise. His eyes opened on the window to see azure blue—fleecy cloud—golden sunshine.

There was a warm wet cheek pressed close to his, bright chestnut strands of hair over his face, tight little hands clutching his breast. He scarcely breathed until he lay there long enough to realize Allie Lee lived. Then he was so weak he could hardly move.

“Allie . . . you’re not dead?” he whispered.

With a start she raised her head. She was kneeling beside the couch where he lay. It was absolutely the face of Allie Lee that bent over him.

“I’m the livest girl you ever saw,” she replied, with a little low laugh of joy.

“Allie . . . then you’re actually alive . . . safe . . . here!” he exclaimed in wild assurance.

“Yes . . . yes . . . With you again! Isn’t it glorious? But, oh! I gave you a shock. You frightened me so . . . Neale, are you well?”

“I wasn’t . . . but I am now.” He trembled as he gazed up at her. Yes—it was Allie’s face—incomparable, unforgettable. She might have been a little thin and strained. But time, and whatever she had endured, had only enhanced her loveliness. No harm had befallen her—that was written in the white glow of her face, in the violet eyes, dark and beautiful, with the brave soul shining through their haunting shadows, in the perfect lips, tremulous and tender with love.

“Neale, they told me you gave up your work . . . were going to the bad,” she said, with an eloquence of distress changing voice and expression.

“Yes. Allie Lee, I loved you . . . I cared for nothing.”

“You gave up . . .”

“Allie,” he interrupted passionately. “Don’t talk of me! You haven’t kissed me!”

Allie blushed. “I haven’t? That’s all you know!”

“Have you?”

“Yes, I have . . . I have . . . I was afraid I’d strangled you!”

“I never felt it. I don’t know that I fainted, but I lost all sense of feeling . . . Kiss me now. Prove you’re alive and love me still!”

And then presently when Neale caught his breath again it was to whisper: “Precious Allie.”

“Am I alive? Do I love you?” she whispered, bending over him, her eyes like purple stars, her face flooded with a dark rose color.

“I’m forced to believe it, but you must prove it often,” he replied. Then he sat up and drew her to a seat beside him. “I’ve had many dreams of you, yet not one like this . . . How is it you are alive? By what Providence? I shall pray to that Providence all my life . . . How do you come to be here? Tell me quick.”

She leaned, close against him. “That’s easy,” she replied. “Only some time I want to tell you all . . . everything . . . Do you remember the four ruffians who visited Slingerland’s cabin one day when we were all there? Well, they came back one day .

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