A Lamp on the plains

He could not remember ever having been so happy-- the town which was at last his home glowed with spring as he looked at it from the hilltop, and the girl who walked with him was graceful and lovely. She was older than he but young enough to laugh when he laughed and share the delight of the day. When she tripped he caught her to break her fall, but once she was in his arms, she stayed, willing, and as the afternoon became evening, he knew that this spring was the end of his innocence. FROM THE BACK COVER.