She is one of the nicest girls I 've ever known . I knew college gossip credited us with being in love with each other . I did n't care . Nothing mattered much to me for a time there , after you told me you could never love me , Anne . There was nobody else -- there never could be anybody else for me but you . I 've loved you ever since that day you broke your slate over my head in school . '' `` I do n't see how you could keep on loving me when I was such a little fool , '' said Anne . `` Well , I tried to stop , '' said Gilbert frankly , `` not because I thought you what you call yourself , but because I felt sure there was no chance for me after Gardner came on the scene . But I could n't -- and I ca n't tell you , either , what it 's meant to me these two years to believe you were going to marry him , and be told every week by some busybody that your engagement was on the point of being announced . I believed it until one blessed day when I was sitting up after the fever . I got a letter from Phil Gordon -- Phil Blake , rather -- in which she told me there was really nothing between you and Roy , and advised me to ` try again . ' Well , the doctor was amazed at my rapid recovery after that . '' Anne laughed -- then shivered . `` I can never forget the night I thought you were dying , Gilbert . Oh , I knew -- I KNEW then -- and I thought it was too late . '' `` But it was n't , sweetheart . Oh , Anne , this makes up for everything , does n't it ? Let 's resolve to keep this day sacred to perfect beauty all our lives for the gift it has given us . '' `` It 's the birthday of our happiness , '' said Anne softly . `` I 've always loved this old garden of Hester Gray 's , and now it will be dearer than ever . ''
`` But I 'll have XXXXX ask you to wait a long time , Anne , '' said Gilbert sadly .
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