The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-12-08
SELECT STORY.
DON'T SEE IT.
OR, GATHERING SWEET BRlER AFTER
FIVE YEARS.
BY LUCILLE CLIFTON.

ltS hanging fOlage. standing IN the
bower, her dark curls brushed by the
trailing branches and her hands list
les'ly plucking the starry blossoms was
Amy Ludwlck. a pretty country lass.
Her flashing brown eyes were now dim
with unshcd tears, and Grant Bur
chard. at a distance. studied the rural
picture and smiled 1t was manlike to
smile, when he knew from her listless,
dreamy air she was thinking of the
absent. and he could have testified on
oath that absent one was he. 1t was
manlike to smile when he noted the
unwonted quiver of laughing, ruby
lips. and the unusual dewyness of
sparkling, dancing eyes, and was con.
iident as of his existence that thoughts
of him had robbed the lips of their
stcadiness and the eyes of their flash
ing brillancy and he was right You
would have known it by the unspoken
gladness that shone out of the dark,
saucy face as Grant Burchard came in
sight, softly humming "lIome, Sweet
Home
II don't believe u word of it., she
said, saucily, as he entered the bower
and tied the sweet brer in knots about
her head and shoulders.
Don't believe what, you little athe-
list ?" he asked playfully. 'Don't be.
lieve that you are my prisoner, and
that | may be cruel master, demand
ing penance for all the sins you ever
committed p
II don't believe you meant that
song" she answered, little sadly.
You sing Home, sweet Home, aud
act as if you were delighted to get out
in the broad world.
"Amy' (and the manly tones spoke
with Slight reproachfulness), "you
know | love my home, and
He paused and showered the white
blossoms over her head, looking into
her shy, saddened eyes.
Il may not say it, he added "Your
father thinks he is a wise man, and
has sealed my lips. Dear as is this
simple country place, l know that life
has better work than can be done here.
My energies are cramped and my pow
ers are sadly limited The opportuni-
ty offered me for travel and improve.
ment is rare one, and | may not cast
it away. 1t is realization of II golden
dream, and when | return | will real
ize another, and confound your father
fears y
He held her pinioned with the eg-
lantine fetters, but she tore them hur-
riedly away, saying:
when You return you may despise
a simple girl like me, and my father
wishes to spare me future pain in for
bidding all further intimacy until we
know ourselves as years of separation
will prove us. That separation he
insists must be entire. We cannot
even write, Grant
"But we can think, and love. and
wait, was the hopeful answer, "Yon-
der comes your cousin Alice. | would
say, plague take her , only she looks
wondrously like you. Goodbye,
Amy"
And the strong man kissed her
trembling lips and vas gone.
Poor Amy She was only 16, and
not much of philosopher SO thought
her father, as he watched the sad face
moving about uneasily. He changed
his opinion when she knelt on the stool,
at his side and inquired:
PA, can go away to school ?"
"You 90 to school T. he exclaimed.
II thought you hated school
NO. she answered, Gravely. IL
never hated it, and my teacher said |
would make good student if cared
less for fun. | am real ignoramus,
pa"
did Grant tell you so, Amy?n
mo, papa" answered the blushiug
girl. "lIe sometimes corrected my
grammar, but he thinks ! know more
than do. Even now he talks of sub
ects cannot understand. He is
going out to learn and improve con
tinually, and if settle down to my
old fun and Incidence he will indeed
deSplse me when he returns, love
Grant, and ! want to make myself
worthy of him. lie will become ar
customed to the sqeiety of polished
women, and | will seem utterly devoid
of polish. You are wealthy, pa, but
| would prefer education to money"
"And ANY," said lhe old man, tear.
fully, 'wheG you become lady per.
haps you will dcspise the awkward,
old laundering farmer. l have heard
of such things
"Oh, pa, Aunt Hastings is true
lady, and she honors you rs your
daughter always must SAID Amy
winding her arms around the neck OF
her doting father
"Well. child, write to your aunt to
find you a good school in the city
She will be good model for you
Amy, child, if it were necessary
would make you a lady that you
might win Grants love, even if it led
you to deSpise me, VIII Grant Bur
chard ever love you better than that
think you?'
1t was question that stirred the
depths of Amy Ludwick's loving heart
and kept her faithful to her fila duty.
Five years later two gentlemen Of
polished manners and easy address sat
talking in II New York hotel. Some
controverted point had held them il
earnest debate for long time bur at
length the elder of the two arose, say
ing:
"Grant Burchard, ! like your de
yotion to the memory of this country
girl. 1t shows how true a friend yoc
can he, But, in this case, | believe
you are preparing for yourself crue
= disappointment
Grant Burchard was only half lis
tening, After five years spent in
foreign land he was still dreaming o.
the young girl in the eglentine bower
and replied as before;
"lf | find Amy Ludwick as when
left her | will make her my bride"
"lou cannot find her as you lef
her, said his friend earnestly. "IIpr