The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-07-19
Gray Hairs and Golden Head.

Gray Hairs and Golden Head walked
up the village street together under the
lilac blossoms in the bright spring
weather. There were lilacs here, lilacs
there, lilacs everywhere. They nodded
over the low garden walls; by many a
cottage window their purple clusters
tossed so thicbly a young girls eyes
could scarce be seen beyond, smiling
across them at her passing lover.
The two loiterers spoke little to each
other, only word now and then, likr
two who we're content with silence and
their own thoughts, till they reached 8
garden gate into which the young girl
turned.
"well, goodbye, Mr.. Norcroft. You
have been such help to usl There's
no use irving to thank you p
"Good bye, Miss Percival."
She had made a movement to 60 in,
but sometime in this gray. haired mans
voice, his blank look as he answere d
her, made gentle Anne Percival hesitate.
She glanced about her.
SHOW heavy this scent of the lilacs
seems in the air this M rning. Wait
one moment, Mr.. Norcroft Ny lilacs
are no prettier than the others, but you
shall have bunch from my own favorite
kree,"
She pulled down a great bough and
nodded at him across il. Golden Hair
looking at him across bunch of lilacsl
His soft eyes smiling-would he ever
forget that2
She brought him spray.
They are quite pretty and fresh now,
but no flower fades so quickly Rs the
lilac. You must get its sweetness now.
Stephen Norcroft took the flowers
without word, but his look would have
been q thousand times sweeter than any
thanks to one that loved him. The
strong spring sunshine was all about
him as he passed down the street. II
touched his gray hair and his sad old
face with foreign brightness that was
more pathetic than any sorrow of youth
could have been.
He began talking in low voice tc
himself:
"There is not so very much differ.
ence in our ages-not so very much as
some might think. And Fcould make
her happy. How could she help being
happy with one who worships her? Oh
would try, and I should be young
again-I feel young now p
So he went dreaming on. Strong
life was in the air about him. Ont
could almost hear the green leaves al
they uncurled from the tight-rolle(
buds. He could see the tower of Sain
Marks down there with its line o
white tombstones on either side; eacl
morning and evening he rang it
chime Of bells; there were only thret
of them, but the villagers said tina
Stephen Norcroft got the music of thre
times that number ont of them, he RAM
them SO deftly. And beyond that wa
the ng-beating river going to tn
sea, and the lumbermen sending thei
great RATS of sweet-smelling oak an,
pine down it, helping to make the com
merce of world.
Should he not speak Why shoul
he not speak. He remembered.
"Ha, old dreamer pa quick step o
the walk behind him-a strong han
descending on his shoulder and send
ing him step or two stumbling TO,
ward-"what misty dream are you nur'
ing now? Oh, 1 beg your pardon"
There was that in the vague light
the eyes, in the panied expression
the sensitive face turned toward hi
that stirred in young Rick Sheridan
sense of something out of place in tn
rough greeting. His handsome faC
flushed slightly in mis- shame.
at beg your pardon most sincerel.
Mr.. Norcroft. Did I disturb you ~
"Oh no, mol was only dreaming
as usual. l had lost myself littl
Now that you are here We will wa
together if you have time. There
something want to say to you"
He slipped his arm in that of Il
younger man. Rick slackeued his qui'
steps to suit the slower pace of his cor
aQion.