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Anne of Green Gables
Announcement By Kelly Sweet Dreams | Anne Tells | Diana's Surprise | Gilbert's Concern | A Lazy Afternoon | Yesterday's Rose | Farewells Chapter four —Gilbert's Concern The news, Anne had finally said, ‘yes’ to Gilbert, spread like wildfire. By Church on Sunday nary a soul was left out of the loop. Avonlea was all a buzz. Most people, on the whole, were delighted and hoped the best for them. For others, always looking for something disagreeable where none could be seen, found it necessary to point out what they felt was their duty. Gilbert had gone into Carmody to William Blair's store one day looking for a particular ring. He was looking through the selections in the jewelry case, remembering what Anne had said about a ring with pearls rather than a diamond. He hadn’t noticed that Josie Pye and Julia Bell had entered the store shortly after him—nor would he, more often than not, care. He had just found the perfect ring, one with a circlet of pearls, would be very fitting of his young fiancée. While waiting to have a better look at the said ring he overheard Josie say to Julia, “At church last Sunday I overheard Mrs. Harmon Andrews say it was just scandalous the way Anne had strung that Kingsport man along for two years, while it was pretty much inevitable that they would get engaged, and then refused to marry him.” “Yeah,” added Julia, in a voice just loud enough for Gilbert to hear, “after the way she flirted with that Kingsport fellow—she had her fun and was done with him—I wouldn’t put much hope of her and Gilbert actually making it to the altar.” “Especially, since he will be away—poor Gilbert—he’s apt to get the same treatment.” Josie said as they walked out the door. Whether they knew he was there or not Gilbert had heard. He knew very well, what they had said was not true, it concerned him even so. He knew Anne was genuine. He did not doubt her love for him. What he didn’t know was much about Roy Gardner, the Kingsport fellow. Anne never said much about him—in fact, had said nothing about him. She perhaps just wanted to put that part of her life behind her, but what in fact happened? “Would she walk away from him, too? Three years was such a long time.” In his heart he knew it wasn’t true, but uncertainty ruled his head. He made provision to pay for the ring, had it wrapped and left. He had to be back soon. His parents had invited Anne for tea. She would be expecting him at Green Gables in an hour. He arrived at the appointed time. Anne was her usual cheery self. She chatted all the way to his house. She had figured out how many times they would be able to see each other with Christmas’ and summer vacations and how romantic it would be writing letters to each other. When they arrived at his house his mother gave Anne a big hug. “It will be so good to have you in this family. Our son has always adored you and we want him to be happy.” As they sat down to tea, Anne said, “Oh, Mrs. Blythe, I do hope I can always bring happiness to him—as much happiness as he brings to me.” “I hear you are going to be the Principal of Summerside High School. That is quite an undertaking for a young lady as you. I do hope you will manage.” “Oh, I do hope so. I have been ever so nervous about it and I sometimes lie wake nights in a fret over it.” They had talked for quite sometime before Anne realized that Gilbert had not said a word. “Is he feeling alright?” He could usually hold up his end of a conversation, especially at his own house. After the tea was over Anne helped clean up the table. She thanked Mrs. Blythe for her hospitality. Gilbert said he would go get the horse and buggy and headed for the door. “I will walk out there with you. It is such a lovely evening.” Anne said, casually. “If you want…” Gilbert’s voice trailed off. They walked toward the stable in silence. “Are you feeling alright today, Gilbert?” Anne finally spoke. “You have been unusually quiet. Is something upsetting you?” Gilbert stopped walking. He looked at the ground, kicked the dirt about, but still said nothing. “Gilbert, no matter what it is we can talk about it. Aren’t we here for one another?” Anne said, tenderly, “Please, talk to me.” “I just wish some people would stay out of other peoples’ business.” Gilbert said, very quietly. He turned toward the wooden rail fence, they had been walking alongside, and leaning on it added, “I know I shouldn’t take stock in what certain people say. I know—but—Oh, Anne, three years is such a long time. What if you change your mind? I—I couldn’t go on.” Gilbert said as he hung his head. Anne looked at Gilbert and said, emphatically. “Whoever gave you that ridiculous idea? I couldn’t cast you off any more than I could cut off an arm. I have been accused of letting my imagination get the better of me, but you Gilbert—oh, Gilbert; don’t even suggest such an idea.” Gilbert let out a big sigh and out spilled the words of Josie Pye and Julia Bell. “I know what they said isn’t true, but I have spent the last week pinching myself to see if I was dreaming. Just a hint that I would wake up someday and find you gone was enough to send me into despair.” Anne leaned on the fence beside Gilbert and sighed. “I feared people would think that—what Mrs. Harmon suggested—that I had treated Roy, as they say, ‘scandalously.’ Phil Blake had even said that to me when I broke the news to her. I really felt bad that I had to say ‘no’ to Roy, but, you see, I just couldn’t marry him and I didn’t realize it until the moment he asked me. Soon after I had told you—that I couldn’t marry you I met Roy. He was the epitome of my ideal. Diana and I had once talked of who we would like to marry and described in detail what he might look like and be like. Then—there he was—I thought I must be in love with him; after all, he was what I had always dreamed about. But I couldn’t shake you. In the back of my mind you were always there. I even found myself comparing the two of you. He was so melancholy and poetic. You were fun and full of life. I could laugh with you and you with me. On the day of Convocation I fully expected I would wear the flowers that Roy had sent me. It was then that I noticed the lilies from you, Gilbert. I am not even sure why I decided to wear yours instead of his. I guess they reminded me of home and Roy was not part of that. I had come to realize at the moment he proposed that he was not really part of my life at all. But, it was not until I learned that you might die that it hit me how I truly feel about you—that I love you—that I have always loved you. Somewhere along the line my ideal changed. I didn’t want someone like Roy or even someone like you. I wanted you. “What was it that made you decide to ask me—a second time? I would think it would be a very difficult thing to do.” She said, turning the tables. Gilbert sighed. She was so right. It had been very difficult. “After you told me you could never love me” Gilbert proceeded, “I tried to put you out of my mind. I tried to forget about you. I have told you that. I started taking Christine Stewart to all the social functions as I have, also, mentioned. One day as we were nearing Convocation I was feeling rather blue. It was rumored that you would soon be engaged to Roy and I still could not shake you from my consciousness, mind you, I tried. Christine had noticed my frame of mind and we talked. She guessed that it had something to do with you, Anne, and I poured out my heart. That’s when I decided to send you those flowers for Convocation—oh, Anne, when I saw you with them in your hair, my heart—I was just overjoyed. For some reason, though—I couldn’t figure out—you refused to dance with me, saying your dance card was full—then, to see you with Roy Gardner and how happy you looked—I went home from Kingsport quite dejected. “I had realized that I couldn’t put you out of my mind—and that made things all the worse. You were the only one I had ever loved—could ever love—and I couldn’t have you. Then I became ill and you know all about that. I told you about the letter from Phil—how she told me to ‘try again.’ I still need to let her know how it went—she wanted to know—of course, you will probably tell her, anyway. She also told me that she felt strongly that you did love me—that she could see it in the way you would look at me. Oh, Anne, I knew what she was talking about. I had noticed, too. “My own father, however, was the most important link. He told me that I should ‘swallow my pride and do what I had to do.’ He said that if I didn’t I would always wonder, ‘what if’. I resolved to ask you, one more time. It would be better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all. “Oh, Anne—you have made me so happy. The thought of losing you—I am so sorry for my lack of faith in you.” Anne looked caringly into Gilbert’s eyes and said, “I love you and I will always love you. Don’t ever—ever think that I won’t.” Gilbert pulled her in and held her. His faith was restored. He would never again doubt that Anne would be there—would always be there. It was then that he remembered the box he carried in his pocket. “I have something for you my Anne-girl.” He pulled out the box and handed it to her. Anne opened the box. Inside was the loveliest pearl engagement ring. Gilbert placed it upon her left hand as they each promised to take the tears along with the joys. Three years would pass as if a dream in the night and then they would be together in their ‘house o’ dreams.’ Home | Fan Fiction Home | Submit a story | Forum (yahoo groups) |
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