Learn English From Short Stories: A Love Story : October and June
Learn English From Short Stories: A Love Story :
October and June
The Captain gazed sadly at his sword that hung
upon the wall. In the closet nearby was stored his uniform, worn and faded by
weather and military duties. The old days of war’s alarms seemed a long time
ago !
And now, a veteran of his country’s
service, he had been rendered completely powerless by a woman’s soft eyes and
smiling lips. As he sat in his quiet room, he held in his hand the letter he
had just received from her – the letter that had caused him to wear the look of
sadness, he reread the part of the letter that had destroyed his hope.
A Matter of Age
“In declining the honor you have done me in
asking me to be your wife,” she wrote, “I feel that I ought to speak frankly.
The reason for so doing is the great difference in our ages. I like you very,
very much, but I am sure that our marriage would not be happy. I am sorry to
have to speak of the years which separate us, but I believe that you will want
me to be honest and give you the true reason.”
The Captain sighed and leaned his head on his
hand. Yes, there were many years between their ages. But he was strong and
courageous. He had wealth and an important position in society.
Good Question
Wouldn’t his love and his care and the
advantages he could offer her make her forget the matter of age? Besides, he
was almost sure that she cared for him.
The Captain was a man of prompt action.
In the field he had always decided quickly what had to be done and proceeded
without delay to accomplish his objective. He would see her and talk with her
again. Age! Why allow age to come between him and the one he loved?
A Direct Attack
In two hours he stood ready for his greatest
“battle.” He took the train for the town in Tennessee
Where she lived.
Theodora Deming was on the steps of the
handsome old mansion, enjoying the summer evening, when the Captain
arrived. She met him with a smile that showed only surprise – neither joy nor
sadness. As the Captain stood on the step between her, the difference in their
ages did not appear so great. He was still tall and straight and clear-eyed and
browned. She was youthful and lovely and calm as always.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” said Theodora.
“Didn’t you get my letter?”
“I did,” replied the Captain, “and that’s the
reason I came to see you. Now really, Theo, won’t you reconsider your
answer?”
Theodora smiled softly. She was fond of his
strength, his wholesome looks, his manly qualities - perhaps, if
– “No, no,” she said, shaking her head. “My age and yours are – but don’t make
me say it again – I told you in my letter.”
A Sad Man
The Captain flushed a little. He was silent
for a while, gazing sadly into the evening shadows. Beyond the woods not far
from the house he could see a field where the boys in blue had camped
during their march towards the sea. How long ago it seemed now! Truly, Father
Time had tricked him. Just a few years stood between himself and happiness!
Theodora put her soft hand on his firm brown
one. She was indeed sorry that she had to make him unhappy.
A Gentle Woman
“Don’t be so sad – please,” she said gently.
“Someday you’ll be glad I didn’t marry you. It would be nice and lovely for a
while – but just think! In a few short years what different tastes we would
have.
“One of us would want to sit by the fireside
and read, and maybe nurse various ailments while the other would want
to go do dances and theaters and late suppers. No, my dear friend. While our
situation isn’t exactly January and May, it is a clear case of October and
early June.”
“I’d always do what you wanted me to do, Theo.
If you wanted to –“
“No. You think now that you would, but you
really wouldn’t. please ask me again.”
The Captain had lost the battle. But he was a gallant man
and knew how to accept defeat. When he rose to say a final good-bye, he stood
like a soldier – head up and shoulders back.
At Home Again
He took the train for the North that night.
The next evening he was back in his room. He was dressing for dinner, tying his
white tie into a careful bow. And at the time he was deep in thought.
His Final Thought
“Now that I think the matter over carefully,”
he said to himself, “I believe Theo was right after all. Nobody can deny that
she’s beautiful, but she is certainly in younger than 28.”
You see, the Captain was only 19, and he had
never drawn his sword except on the military training ground at Chattanooga.
This was as close as he ever got to the Spanish-American war of 1898.
Vocabulary
Closet, a small room for storing clothes and
other things.
Faded, lacking the color that it had when new
Veteran, a man who was once a soldier
Reread, read again
Frankly, honestly and plainly
Prompt, quick; immediate; without delay
Objective, aim; purpose
Mansion, a very large house.
Reconsider, consider again
Wholesome, healthy and strong
Flushed, became red in the face
Boys in blue, soldiers of the Union Army, or
Army of the North, during the U.S Civil War, 1861-65
Ailments, illnesses; discomforts
October …. June, Theo compares their ages to
months of the year.
Gallant, brave; courageous
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