Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-28
AyoN RoUGE TOU1sIANA

what like Before the sun has gone
down upon my going, another day will
have dawned for YOU" ] looked at ker.
1t came to me that this was very bitter,
and however great fool | might be,
could not entirely hide what was in my
heart. "Lttle Sweetheart" said |, "of
one thing be sure--I never shall forget
you"
She came to me and | kissed her. She
still kept her face near mine. Berthe"
said she-it was the first time she had
ever called me BERTHE; it had always
been plain mister before, and the name
rang in my ears-"Bertie, III not forget
you in a week"
/ almost pushed her from me. knew
this dalliance was worse than folly-I
knew her so well--and rose to my feet.
NO said l, with bitter mirth; not in a
week, but in eight days
She made no answer, but still knelt at
NV feet. And so we parted; for the
farewell on the morrow was but formal
one,
Two years PASSED by. Occasionally
l sent her little notes, pictures of noted
places-foolish curioslties. But | never
gave her my address.
At last | returned, and found she was
living out as governess.
Her mother told me her situation was
in the neighborhood of Ryde. Happen
ing to have friends in that town, ! made
them an excuse for visit there.
Yet, on my arrival, l was in no hurry
to find them out; and taking up my
quarters in quiet inn, l prepared to
have day or two alone.
1t was Saturday afternoon, lovely
weather. and set out for walk, well
known in years gone by, through the
Lovers Lane, nesting by the waterside.
sat down and fell into reverie.
Something woke me from ia sound.
I became aware that was listening to
Drattle; little voices were borne upon
the breeze, children's laughter mingling
with the ripping waves.
But every now and then there was an
other voice, not child's, yet childlike.
It was familiar to my ears, and, as lis
tened. it's sound woke within me chords
$ of forgotten music. Before many sec
opds had gone knew it was Ems voice
| heard.
, | rose upon my elbow quietly, so as to
make no noise. and looked over the top
' of summer-house near by on to the
| Garden below And there | saw her.
, She was on seat under the trees. About
her were four children, two boys and
two Girls. They stood at her knees close
j. together, watching her make chain OF
t daisy flowers.
She had grown, but not much; she
d was still little maiden, and it was
h plain she never would rank among big
r women.
She was dressed in blue-a little blut
IS cloth cap perched daintily upon hel
4 dainty head, still poised like "a queens
- upon her shoulders, and a blue serge
dress which fitted better, | noticed
W than her dresses used to do. Even from
. where was could see her blue eye
flashing. and that wonderful smile upor
10 her face. She was certainly prettle
70 than of old, and she still looked like
!. maiden stepped down from fairydom'
n Wondering what the answer might DE
: softly, hardly above whisper, l gently
called-"Emw
r. But she engaged with the daisy
~ chain and her little ones, did not hear
or and paid no heed. So, smiling, | call
ed a little louder-"Em"
But still she did not hear The dals,
~ chain and the little ones seemed to en-
gross all her thoughts, and my volc
,r- blew past her with the wind.
or How would it do, ! thought, since sh
eC was so obstinately deaf, to rouse her b
l.
confronting her! Ifshe would not heal
III she should see, and her eyes, if not he
er ears, he opened.
With some such fancy, | was Ju
RI about to rise and intrude myself upo
an her presence, when l noticed the iigu1
nd of a man coming down the path.
he had no objection to children wltnes
a. inc our meeting, though l could hay
be shared even them: but third part
at and he stranger, did not want. So
"a waited until he should be gone.
He was a young man, q gentlem'
. 1o,,o,J do,ht. rood lonkinp. dressed