The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
THE HOWARD LITERARY.
GRANDMA'S STORY.

room at Farmer Charlton's residence, busy
knitting when suddenly she dropped 1t
and listened. What was it she heard?
Twas only the voice of her granddaugh-
ter Lura, singing IN such beautiful
strains as only those can sing who are
gifted with musical talent. What were
the words? Only the song of springtime,
charming spring, lovely spring.
As grandma listened TO the merry
strains recollections of youth, love and
beauty came back to her. She arose from
the rocker and walked to the mirror, and
looking straight at the face that was once
so beautiful, she repeated the words
aloud: youth is but a memory, faded
like an ancient painting on a crumbied
wall Beauty has long since departed.
The one 1 loved so we'll has been laid
to rest for ten long years" But just then
iLaura came in with smiling face, cheeks
as red az roses, eyes sparkling like dla-
monds.
Grandma, see what 1 have brought
your
"a bunch of flowers, Lura dear. How
kind you are"
yes. grandma, as nice bouquet as 1
could select.
''Tbank YOU, nv dear child" and she
stroked the brown curls, then kissed her
tenderly. "Lura, you do not know how
that song stirred me that you sang while
you gathered the pOsies."
well, il it impressed you so deeply
will play it for you," and seating herself
at the piano she sang and played. When
she had finished grandma said:
'Iura. what day OF the month is this?"
''It ia the 25th of April, dear granny"
she replied. "Please tell me a story"
Now, we are seated, / will begin my
story. 1t was sixty years ago, when | was
ia young blushing maiden just eighteen
wears OF age, the same age that you are at
Ipresent My hair. then, though snowy
white now, was b ack as a raven, my eyes
wee bright and sparkling, my cheeks
were plump and rosy. Well, was pro-
nOunced beautiful my many, and of the
many Young gents who sought for my
company none were so we'll accepted
Marion Charlton. 1t was bright, sunny
day in Aprll, that morning | will not for
get. l met him In the meadow ana he gave
me bunch OF posies very much like the
ones YOU gathered this morning. Well, l
carried them home and put them in a
glass OF water and kept them as long as
could. They were not the last flowers he
gave me that spring, either. We spent
many happy hours together that spring
and summer. Marion and / had never
quarreled any then, and / really did not
know what a lovers quarrel meant.
finally learned. though. 1t was the Gus
tom those DAYS to have app!e-cuttlngs
among the farmers in our neighborhood.
Marion and l were together one Sunday
evening He promised TO come AMI ac-
company metz Farmer Howe's the follow
70 ha
Tuesday night came, but Marion did not
come to 20 with me. Watched and wait
ed until it grew late. Thinking some
thing serious had occurred | excused him
mentally. My brother Willie was then
about fourteen years of age. He kindly
offered to 90 with me. We went, l won
dering the while why Marion had disap
pointed me. As Boon as / got
to the apple cutting Maggie
Ray told me Marion had gone
away. She told me, in the presence of
many girls and boys, that she and her
father saw him taking drive that morn
ing with Young lady. This made me
angry with Marion. Henry Holmes no.
ticed this and came to my side. We
chatted together, ! trying to be pleasant if
was sad. When it came time to 60 home
Henry kindly invited me TO get in his
buggy. l did go. Before l got home l
felt sorry. What would Marion say?
That story might be false, were the
thoughts that entered my mind. When l
got to my room / sat down and cried most
bitterly. took the new ring from my
finger and threw it on the floor. l had
been engaged since the 4th of July, and
this was about the last of August. DAYS
and months passed. / never received a
scrap of news from him. l grew anxious
and paler every day.
One morning when / had been hearing
more n VS. from the gossips than usual,
] sat down and wrote him letter and adj
dressed il to his hOusekeeper, telling her
to forward it to him. / sent him the rings
and told him TO release me from the prom
ise | had made. / wrote this in October
In November he came home, sold his
property and settled up all his business
He was only at home one week. He
started to visit me then, but as luck would
have 1t he met me with our young friend,
Henry Holmes. No explanation followed
Henry and did not go with each other
only few times. told him we could be
friends-that was all. Years passed away.
] was now thirty years OF age and my lit
tie pet sister was eighteen. She came in
the house one spring morning with
q bouquet in her hands She was
so well pleased, and L oh! / just
thought my heart would burst.
Louisa said, "Hattie what makes you cry?"
j never told her. l kept it a secret from
her. In the following September she was
married. In just one year Louisa and her
husband were both stricken with fever
and died. There were Just thirty DAYS
between their deaths leaving a two
months-old babe for father and to care
for. We named her Lily, and when she
was six years of age she gathered poses
for me out in the meadow all alone One
evening she brought a man to the house
with her who was no other than Marion
Charlton. He had changed somewhat
and so had /. We were married the 25th
of April. So l wore the ring at last after
q separation of twenty years. After that
when Lilly would bring me flowers l
would not weep, as in days OF yore.
Marion explained all to me. The young
lady was his cousin. They were going to
see his dying uncle. He sent me two let
tiers. never got them. Your father,
Lura, is our only child. If you outlive me
Try and remember my story about spring
flowers. ''SmvER BELL"
Nashville, Ind, March.
DEPENDING "BAB."