`` I did n't tell her my plan ; but I resigned my place , spent a week or more finding and fixing a little home for her out in the wholesome country , where she 'd be safe from theatres and disreputable friends , and maybe learn to love me better when she saw how much she was to me . It was coming summer , and I made things look as home-like and as pretty as I could . She liked flowers , and I fixed a garden for her ; she was fond of pets , and I got her a bird , a kitten , and a dog to play with her ; she fancied gay colors and tasty little matters , so I filled her rooms with all the handsome things I could afford , and when it was done , I was as pleased as any boy , thinking what happy times we 'd have together and how pleased she 'd be . Boys , when I went to tell her and to take her to her little home , she was gone . '' `` Who with ? '' `` With those cursed friends of her ; a party of them left the city just then ; she was wild to go ; she had money now , and all her good looks back again . They teased and tempted her ; I was n't there to keep her , and she went , leaving a line behind to tell me that she loved the old life more than the new ; that my house was a prison , and she hoped I 'd let her go in peace . That almost killed me ; but I managed to bear it , for I knew most of the fault was mine ; but it was awful bitter to think I had n't saved her , after all . '' `` Oh , Thorn ! what did you do ? '' `` Went straight after her ; found her dancing in Philadelphia , with paint on her cheeks , trinkets on her neck and arms , looking prettier than ever ; but the innocent eyes were gone , and I could n't see my little girl in the bold , handsome woman twirling there before the footlights . She saw me , looked scared at first , then smiled , and danced on with her eyes upon me , as if she said , -- '' ` See ! I 'm happy now ; go away and let me be . ' `` I could n't stand that , and got out somehow . People thought me mad , or drunk ; I did n't care , I only wanted to see her once in quiet and try to get her home . I could n't do it then nor afterwards by fair means , and I would n't try force . I wrote to her , promised to forgive her , begged her to come back , or let me keep her honestly somewhere away from me . But she never answered , never came , and I have never tried again . '' `` She was n't worthy of you , Thorn ; you jest forgit her . '' `` I wish I could !
I XXXXX I could ! ''
fancied filled liked play stand teased tell try twirling wish