Daily Republican., 1884-07-29

l was just twenty -one years old when
l went away TO China. It was q most
unexpected thing, but It was great
opening for me In the business way,
and they ted me what has since proved
true, that III accepted it, would AZ.
suredly make my fortune.
However, money IL not all o young
man thinks Of, and I had lately fallen
In love with Alice Goodwin, and felt
1t hard to be sent away before l knew
she returned my sentiments. She was
q csquettish creature, and very bright,
and could not induce her to be senti.
mental, while was 90 bashful that /
felt sure could never directly pop the
question without some announcement,
could not leave the country without
knowing how she felt toward me, and,
to make an excuse, begged my grand.
mother TO give me q tiny little orange
tree which she possessed, and carried
1t over to the Goodwins', with q mos,
polite message, purpsrting to come from
the dear old lady, who had really said
nothing but, every we'll, Oliver. II
you want It 20 much, take it."
Alice was pleased with the little
tree, and declared that she would in.
stantly plant It in q big green tut
which at present held nothing but
earth. went with her and dug the
hole, while she held the little tree
She gave me no thanks, but sent tho
most charming message to my grand.
mother, and she did not even look az
when 1 told her was going to China
"To China !" she cried, after awhile.
"Oh, 1 wonder whether you will grow
pig tail, and whether your eyes will
get to be oblique! They say it's the eli
mate"
"If yon liked oblique eyes" be
gan.
But think they are horrid !" sh,
answered. Simply horrid |"
began on another tack.
may have to be away for years,
I said.
should think you would stay for
ever, once you we're there" she answer
cd. Think ofliving amongst thing,
that we can only have few Of in cabi
nets"
But-but you'd not like me TO stay
forever ?" L stammered.
"Oh, yes, should" said she. "
| should, very much. You could send
us home cups and saucers, and fans anc
shawls, and ivory chess-men, and al
sorts Of pretty presents. 1t is so anus
ing to get queer packages from China
and We might get the best sort of tea
through you-tea such as they never
give TO Barbarians, you know"
| No she did not care. 1t was plain
that it made no difference to her where
l vent and could say nothing more.
III arose, took a rose from my buttOnhole
and offered it to her.
| "This flower will fade before many
hours, Miss Alice" l said, But my.
my-my-" really did not know how
to finish the sentence. AS for A lice, sh,
laughed, looked at the rose, and laid i
on the flower. stand near her.
know your grandm others rose
anywhere" she said. Must you go
Really Well, good-by."
| II may never see you again, Miss
Alice" faltered.
Oh, We always see everybody again
sometime" she answered.
sailed for China l was really quit,
broken hearted, and did not care wher,
| went. | had thought Alice nigh
like me just little, and ] found GU
that was nothing to her. However,
did not die lived, worked hard,
had my fiirtations, but never fell il
love again. | never even thought OF
marrying and though l did not be-
come a mandarin, | became one OF
the highly respected American resi-
dents, and really sent home China tea
pots, fowery silk shawls and glitterin,
fans to my friends at home.
did not forget Alice, but 1 forgo
many circumstances conn ected will
our acquaintance, as men al ways DE-
forget the little things.
When was forty years old a change
in my business made 1t necessary fol
me 10 return to America. l WAS no
many old friends. And after LITTLE
| while IL occurred to me that l should
like to know what had become of Alice
whom she had married, and what hel
life had been. And took Journey to
our little town for tho purpose of MAX
Ing inquiries, l sauntered about the old
Goodwin homestead for some time
noting how the trees had grown, and
how the moss had gathered on the
stones of the old house, and trying tx
put the inquiries desired to make inh
words, which could be uttered to a ser
want, when q middle aged lady appear
ed upon the scene, followed by a mar
bearing big green tub in his arms. Sh,
directed its position, and then stood re-
garding 1t admiringly. l fancied thai
l saw An opening, and stepped up to the
gate, took off my hat and remarked;
Excuse me, madam, but that is the
finest orange tree l ever saw in thi-
climate"
Gha turpal fnrua ri ~, o,nil;nU
sit isa very fine tree" she answered
" 1t is nearly twenty years old, and il
b ears splendidly."
"You must value it very much" |
said.
az do, both for its own sake and for
for other reasons" she added, with a
little sigh.
al used to be very familiar with thi.
place." / said. "Is belonged to the
Goodwins, who were NY frisnds.''
The lady looked up from the orange
tree, Fl 1ed her eyes upon my face, laugh
ed and said: "The Goodwins are still
your friends, Oliver Hazletine, and thi.
is still their house."
"And this-this isis it really Alice
Goodwin Why, of course. Why did
l not know you at once?" Offering my
hand.
For nineteen good reasons each a
year long" she answered.. There have
been good mahy changes besides those
in me; but my brother and sister, both
married, will be glad to SEQ you. My
brother lives here. My sister is here
upon visit with her husband.
And you? Are You married ?"
asked
She shook her head.
"No, she said," am an Old maid -
looked at her. What a sweet, kind
face she had. How strange it was that
she had not made some mans houe
happy long ago? How different she
won ID have made my life
The old, old feelings seemed to rush