James Oppenheim

“ Ruth gasped; the three stood still; they did not look at each other. The blinding terrible truth flashed through the minds of the boy and girl. The mystery of marriage—the strange bringing into this world of new souls—the strange creative-power that was theirs—overwhelmed them with a kind of terror. Then they heard the Doctor mildly continuing:
"Consumptives cannot have children; you can't marry; the power that drives you to-night will drive the harder if you do marry. You must not even kiss each other. You must bravely release each other—bravely carry life through fire to a great finish! ”

“ Nested in this warm human mass—this breathing humanity—they had a wild ride through the sparkling streets, a wild ride of rushing breeze, of Earth flying under them. They had taken on wings and were cutting through space, escaping from themselves and their doom. They said nothing. But this car, as to many others, was to them their Capulet-Garden, their place of night-meeting. They put their arms about each other; Ruth laid her head on David's shoulder; and for a moment a sad glory was theirs again. ”

“ He hesitated, and then whispered:
"Ruth, who knows? It's up to him; it's up to you. It means fight, quiet, a sane life, good food, good air. It means years, too. It's gone far—too far. You and I are—interested in David: we'll send him off to life; and then—we'll be patient, and we'll be brave. Eh, Ruth?"
She looked at her broken man.
"He could never stand it," she breathed.
The Doctor looked at him sharply. The Doctor laughed softly, pressing her hand.
"We humans can stand more than you dream, Ruth. It takes a lot to kill us." ”

“ They looked at each other again; they paled; their eyes burned; they were breathless with the wonder and glory of their marriage. The millions of ages were flinging them together, they could not resist any longer. He belonged to her; she to him—he was of her, she of him. They were one organism; God Himself was welding them together.
Breathless they arose and left that place—their glasses half-full, their money on the table—left it, and went east on Grand Street. A big silver moon had risen over the house tops, and up against its eerie glamour trailed skeins of silvered smoke ”

“ And you—Ruth—what have you to be thankful for? For your struggles, your long days of work, for your father's death? By George!" he was at white heat, "why should we give each other up? That's all we have. We belong to each other! Just when there's something good in this world, something pure and good and true—there's a smash-up. I won't go: I won't leave you!"
Ruth leaned close, her face strongly set.
"David," she spoke deeply, "I'm going to marry you, I don't care! I'm going off with you. I've cared for my family long enough—I'm going to care for you. I'm going to marry you, David." ”

“ They turned at Grand Street, keeping step to the thumpety-thump, and walked west in the last great glow of day. People before them waded through fire—a dancing, dusty gold swam about heads. It was the Wonder-World. Here they noticed the book-store man in his skull-cap sitting out to get the evening air; there strolled a little mother with a crying baby-burden; here laughed young couples like themselves; there a mother fed her child—everyone was in love.
"All day," whispered Ruth, close to his ear, "I could hardly typewrite—I could hardly see my notes. ”

“ David—Ruth—children! Why don't you socialize your love? Turn it away from self— turn it on others—you, David, on the lonesome brother of yours—you, Ruth, on the old mother whose man is not in Sullivan County—but dead. ”

“ She laughed because her expression was so awkward and untrained; but the creative urge drove her. "And now—I'm a woman; and you're a man; and a man is the only thing in all the world that a woman must seek. And instead of being a person, Dave, you're—a sort of a world. Oh, I know, I know! I see beneath the surface—the surface is only the wall of a house and in the house something is living, warm and breathing and glorious. People are full of miracles and glory and wonder. It's——"
She stopped breathless; and he spoke, intoxicated:
"God, Ruth!" ”

“ And then she dimly heard David speaking.
"It's nothing, dear, nothing!"
Her lips parted; something clutched and tried to strangle her throat; her heart pumped wildly. She looked up on his agonized face—poor helpless boy!—and at once he was her child, she his mother. She must take him to her—clasp him, soothe him, comfort him! There was that left. And then she was aware of the crowded cruel streets about them; they stood in public; the world roared on all sides. She could not even clasp his hand to her heart.
"Oh," she whispered, "let's kill ourselves!"
"Ruth!" ”

“ It's hard—but you must! You can't toy with God—you know!"
They suddenly realized; they had almost started to play with the unseen Power—ignorant of its eternal fatalness—its strength that rolls planets and creates worlds. ”

“ Neither spoke, though the human warmth of his voice coming upon their tragic souls was a touch of sanity; life again was suddenly commonplace and busy and cheerful. They were subtly cheered.
"Nell!" he cried, "here's the latest in couples!" ”