| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Desert Gold by Zane Grey: Nell gazed at him, white-faced, without uttering a word.
"You see, Nell, I'm about done in Forlorn River," went on Belding.
"That blast this morning sank my spring. There's no water now.
It was the last straw. So we'll shake the dust of Forlorn River.
I'll come on a little later--that's all."
"Dad, you're packing your gun!" exclaimed Nell, suddenly pointing
with a trembling finger. She ran to him, and for the first time
in his life Belding put her away from him. His movements had lost
the old slow gentleness.
"Why, so I am," replied Belding, coolly, as his hand moved down
to the sheath swinging at his hip. "Nell, I'm that absent-minded
Desert Gold |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Options by O. Henry: your forgiveness. I sold my happiness for money. There were others
to be provided for--but that does not excuse me. I just wanted to see
you and ask your forgiveness. You have lived here ten years, they
tell me, cherishing my memory! I was blind, Hampton. I could not see
then that all the money in the world cannot weigh in the scales
against a faithful heart. If--but it is too late now, of course."
Her assertion was a question clothed as best it could be in a loving
woman's pride. But through the thin disguise the hermit saw easily
that his lady had come back to him--if he chose. He had won a golden
crown--if it pleased him to take it. The reward of his decade of
faithfulness was ready for his hand--if he desired to stretch it
Options |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from The Oakdale Affair by Edgar Rice Burroughs: were upon them. A gawky farmer seized the boy and
struck him cruelly across the mouth. It was Jeb Case.
"You beast!" cried Bridge. "Can't you see that that--
that's--only a child? If I don't live long enough to give
you yours here, I'll come back and haunt you to your
grave."
"Eh?" ejaculated Jeb Case; but his sallow face turned
white, and after that he was less rough with his prisoner.
The two were dragged roughly from the jail. The
great crowd which had now gathered fought to get a
close view of them, to get hold of them, to strike them,
The Oakdale Affair |
