Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-11-21

AFTER to-day l am not coming any more

"After to-day | am not coming any more
"Whyr
Il am going to the city to live; but you
were kind TO me the first day, and tell you
for that reason and because you didn't mind
untying my hood for me-"
felt her going so keenly that could no,
study, try as would, and In consequence
my grammar was decided failure. went
home from school her way that day, taking
care that the scholars should not suspect my
motives.
When | came In sight Of her she was
standing motionless by the roadside, atten.
lively watching yellow jacket buzzing
for sweets in the downy heart of white
Canada thistle.
Years after, when miles and miles away
nom that spot, could shut my eyes of q
hazy October afternoon, with O'Clock sun
dipping towards the tree tops, and see
little girl, lovely as the blush Of sunset
gazing pensiyely at bee upon common
roadside flower.
ibid 1t sting your l asked, assuming a
very sympathetic air.
mo; bees never sting me, and I've watch
ed them dance on the thistle heads all sum-
mer."
Il did not know that you loved them.
Most girls are afraid of bees"
Eyes, but am not"
She turned from the rank patch of this
ties and slowly resumed her walk homeward.
When we came TO the lane where our
path separated she put up her arms to be
taken and kissed before leaving me as she
said, ITO come back no more"
Be good to yourself, Eddie, and next win
ter II any little lonely Adelinas come cold
and frightened to the red school house yon-
der, be kind to them as you were to me-"
Something choked in my throat, and
could not say word; but kissed her more
than once; and after she had slipped from
my arms and was twenty rods away, | sat
down and cried like baby, because | was
never to see Adelina again.
~ - NV ttitS 0ClOtG ttic IutltOI WIS TIC
In the neighborhood that Mrs. Lagrange had
married middle-aged city millionaire, and
that the young widow and her child had
found a new protector in the place of the
one death had taken from them.
Years fitted by-I was "a; had fought
through the war--entered the army private
and came out Captain, shattered in health,
and utterly depleted in pocket, to find my
self at home again, III and altogether dis
trustful Of the futures smile.
In my frequent walks to the village Post
Office l often passed by the red school house,
and never without sigh of regret for the
many happy, care-free days spent within its
battered walls.
Among the letters handed to me one morn
Ing was one post-marked New York, which
iniormse tue u khc agrccabl4 iact sAel,
through the fundamentally a a friend of
mine whom he was anxious TO serve, the
undersigned, Mr. Maxwell, had been in
duced to extend to me commercial open
ing at the liberal salary of $4,000 a year, to
be increased II merited. There was fortune
for me in the offer, and | accepted II with
alacrity.
Mr.. Maxwell, a rich New York merchant,
from the first took lively interest in my
advancement. The unknown friend could
not account for in any other way than by
supposing Il to be some soldier comrade
whom had befriended In the past
Within month was fairly established
at my new post Of duty, and succeeded in
pleasing Mr.. Maxwell SO well that, at the
beginning Of my second year. he sent me to
Europe in the interest OF the house. When
| returned was given weeks vacation,
which spent among the breezy hills of my
old country home, passing the pleasant Sep
tember days In tramping through the woods
and fields and by-ways that were the chosen
hsunts Of my boyhood.
was just turning the curve In the road
where the Canada thistles grew, and so lost
In my reverie that was almost opposite a
lady standing In their midst before was
aware Of her presence.
II am glad you still love the old scenes,
Mr. Durand," she said, without expressing
the least surprise.
was sstonished. Here was lady whom,
TO the best OF my knowledge, | had never
seen before, addressing me as Familiarity as
II we had known each other all our lives.
"Names are treacherous things, and II l
were ever 30 fortunate as to have known
yours I am guilty Of having forgotten IT,"
I replied.
men forget easily, l am told; but had
hoped 10 find you an exception TO the rule"
A very awkward silence on my part en-
sued. She took pity ON my evident embar-
rassment and continued:
"HAs your battle with the world entirely
driven from your recollection au the old
school facesr'
Her voice dropped to Its old, sweet, clear.
winning cadence, thrilling my whole being
with delight.
"Adeiiaa :"
caught her hand, and before knew
what was doing had carried 1t 10 my lips
and kissed Il.
Excuse me-" stammered "but-I-am
no glad 10 see you and you seem just the same
little girl kissed here years ago-not bit
taller. not bit older--only Adelina always
lovely and always loved"
Than \ told har al af.,s,f tnvualf hfuv