Old Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie, and other poems by Isabella Valancy Crawford
page 88 of 243 (36%)
page 88 of 243 (36%)
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"Some other Max--we speak not of the same."
"He has a red mark on his temple set." "It matters not--'tis not the Max we know." "He wears a turquoise ring slung round his neck." "And many wear them--they are common stones." "His mother's ring--her name was Helen Wynde." "And there be many Helens who have sons." "O Katie, credit me--it is the man." "O not the man! Why, you have never told "Us of the true soul that the true Max has; "The Max we know has such a soul, I know." "How know you that, my foolish little lass?" Said Malcolm, a storm of anger bound Within his heart, like Samson with green withs-- "Belike it is the false young cur we know!" "No, no," said Katie, simply, and low-voic'd; "If he were traitor I must needs be false, "For long ago love melted our two hearts. "And time has moulded those two hearts in one, "And he is true since I am faithful still." She rose and parted, trembling as she went, Feeling the following steel of Alfred's eyes, And with the icy hand of scorn'd mistrust Searching about the pulses of her heart-- Feeling for Max's image in her breast. "To-night she conquers Doubt; to-morrow's noon "His following soldiers sap the golden wall, "And I shall enter and possess the fort," Said Alfred, in his mind. "O Katie, child, "Wilt thou be Nemesis, with yellow hair, |
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