Eva's Sins.

XXVIII

"The first thrill of love does not bind you to her heart, friend. Keep dreaming!"

  "Are you leaving?" Stan asked Beth, who was standing in front of him, watching the ground, as if she was afraid to look into his eyes.

  "I'm leaving," simply answered the girl and looking at him, she smiled, but her smile was sad because she learned to appreciate this little man and she knows that if she leaves, maybe she won't see him again and that she will miss their friendship a lot.

  Not the same feelings had instead Stan for her. In the beginning, he saw in her persona a dumb girl that left her comfortable and warm house to find her Miss, who abandoned her, but after finding out a part of the story, the boy was convinced that Beth deserves more than she had from life, and step by step he started to adore her.

  It was so sweet and so foolish at the same time, but he liked that feeling because it was filling him and it also gave him a reason to keep breathing.

  The harsh winter passed quickly because he could spend his time with her during the day and dream about her in the cold nights when the harsh winter wind was blowing like mad through the broken roof, making his little and uncomfortable corner seems more unfriendly than usual, but being aware that he will see her next morning, he fell asleep with a sweet smile on his face and when the aurora was starting to show up first in the morning sky, Stan was standing already in front of the "Red Pony."

  "I'm going with you," Stan said in the end, looking past the girl.

  "Where?" and Beth's eyes stared at Stan as if she saw a river-horse for the first time.

  "Wherever you go! I'm tired already of this city," the boy decided to lie to her. "I was thinking of moving from here for a long time already, but always something new was showing up and ... how to say ... it wasn't the right moment. When do you leave?"

  "Tomorrow morning. Miss Almont says that it will be better to leave in the morning when there are still free carriages to rent and I think she's right."

   "Carriage? But it will take you all the money you have."

  "I know, but to London is a long way. I can't walk on foot till there. It will take me an eternity and I'll never find Miss Eva this way."

  "But why London? She can be here or somewhere in a neighboring village."

  "No. Miss Almont knows more about this. She said that if a young Miss, like Miss Stonebridge, went somewhere it would be for sure London because all the good people are gathering there. Wealthy people I mean and I think that it will be more probable to find her there than here."

  "All right then. You know better than me, but I have a better idea than to rent a carriage."

  "Which one?"

  "I'll show you tomorrow. Today I have plans, so I won't come to the "Red Pony" tonight, so tell Miss Almont that ... just tell her that I quit. And ... don't dare to leave without me tomorrow. Ok?"

  "Ok. I'll be here tomorrow at 7. Don't be late."

  Stan continued in place and long after Beth entered "Red Pony". He was astonished and confused. For the first time the beggar Stan didn't know what to do. He hadn't any idea about what was next and his mind wasn't working at all.

  Seeing the approaching dusk, Stan started to crawl down the street, with one single thought spinning in his mind: "she's leaving!" and deep inside he felt pressure as if a pair of pliers was clenching his heart and it hurt so much.