Where Two Ways Met

by Grace Livingston Hill

  “Well, of course,” June said, smiling. “But I’m quite all right, Daddy, truly I am.”

  “Thank the dear Lord for that!” said the father, with his face shining.

  Paige’s voice quietly echoed the words.

  “And now,” said he, “I think what we ought to do is to get to our car as quickly as possible and get started somewhere for something to eat. There obviously wouldn’t be anything around here. Have you any baggage or anything? Were you able to bring anything out with you, June?”

  June shook her head.

  “I had two suitcases with me and my hat was hanging in the berth, but when I went back to the car I couldn’t get in, so I just let them go. I can get home without them, and all I want is to get home anyway.”

  “Well, I’ll ask one of the officers about it. It may be possible to have your things sent on if they are not available before we get started. I’ll get you and your father to the car, and then I’ll ask the baggage master. Would you like me to carry you up the embankment, June? I’d be pleased to do it, if I may.”

  June laughed and shook her head.

  “I’m perfectly able to walk. I think we’ll both have to help Dad. He looks about all in.”

  “Yes,” said Paige. “You know, he was up all night with a dying man before we left, and this has been a trying day for him. And there’s another thing we must remember. We should telephone the two mothers. They will have been anxious all day.”

  So as swiftly as possible they made their way to the car. Paige went back to see about June’s belongings, and then they were soon on their way to a place where they could get a meal and telephone home.

  They put Mr. Culbertson in the backseat to sleep for a while, and June insisted on sitting in front, saying she wanted to catch up on her acquaintance with Paige.

  And so they started off joyously.

  Mr. Culbertson was soon sound asleep, but the two young people in the front seat were suddenly terribly conscious of that kiss that had been given when Paige first found June, and the words of endearment that had slipped out in the stress of finding her. Paige wondered if she had heard them and if she realized that he had kissed her, and June, with a glad quiver in her happy heart, remembered them both and was wondering if Paige had cared or those had just been pleasant expressions of anxiety relieved.

  But they were both too happy over having found each other again, and knowing that they were going to their beloved homes to stay and not be separated, to let any sad thoughts spoil their joy.

  They were soon quietly chatting. Telling of the accident and of the trip in search of June. Telling about why Paige happened to be at home to come with June’s father in search of her. And that opened the way for Paige to tell of his shore experiences and how he came to resign his job.

  June looked a little grave when she heard he had resigned.

  “But isn’t that going to disappoint you terribly?” she asked. “Weren’t you a bit hasty doing that?”

  “No,” said Paige decidedly. “I put it in the Lord’s hands, and that was what He indicated.” Then he told her of his old friend Brown, and the good proposition for the future he had made, and her face grew glad.

  “Isn’t God wonderful, the way He answers when you trust entirely?” she said. “That was the way He took care of me when I didn’t think I could possibly stand Aunt Letitia and her faultfinding ways any longer, and then came that letter of Dad’s asking me to come right home, that Mother needed me.”

  Paige began to laugh, and June looked at him curiously.

  “I’m laughing,” Paige explained, “because your father was worrying a great part of the way over that he had written that letter. He said if anything happened to you it would be his fault, because he had told you to come right home.”

  “Oh, that’s lovely,” June said, smiling. “Just another instance of how all things work together for good to them that love God. God let that letter come, knowing that He would take care of me when the accident came. And He did.”

  “Thank the Lord,” murmured Paige softly.

  It was growing dusky now, and the stars were peeking out one by one. By and by the moon would be coming up, but it could not bring to mind the last time he had watched it rise, making a path of silver on the sea. He had something better beside him now than a girl who despised him because he loved God’s Word.

  There was quite a silence between the two as they drove through a village, and then June asked casually, “Did you ever get to know that daughter of Mr. Chalmers any better than you used to?”

  Paige grinned.

  “I certainly did,” he said. Then with sudden resolve—“and I guess here’s where I tell you all about it. Then we’ll cross her off our list for all time and make no more mention of her.”

  “Oh!” said June with a little gasp in her breath. Was there something coming that was going to hurt?

  So Paige told her the whole story in detail, from the first arrogant barging in of the daughter of his boss, through the dancing incident, and on to the morning when she walked into his room, snatched his Bible, and threw it across the room.

  “Poor child!” said June sadly. “What a life to live!”

  “Yes, isn’t it?” said Paige.

  And so he went on to tell more of Mr. Brown’s offer and how his business prospects had all been changed into something that he felt sure was going to be wonderful for him by and by, and how relieved he was to be out of the atmosphere of Harris Chalmers and Company.

  It was quite dark now, and the moon was making a silver rim over the mountains as they drove.

  “You must be very tired,” said Paige. “Wouldn’t you be willing to put your head on my shoulder and rest? Shut your eyes and go to sleep?”

  June’s cheeks grew hot with pleasure, but she laughed.

  “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 tak
e 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.