The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-05-25

emerald, from the verdure DEPTHS of
which cleaned vari-hued blossoms
whose blended odors were borne in
through open window and doorway.
The golden sunset glow had gradual
ly faded from the west, and the soft
gray of the twilight crept adown the
gcntler slopes of the far-off hills and
across the level plain, till all the earth
seemed embodied in its shadow.
Anna Brown had been watching the
scene from her seat in the deep window
recess, but as the twilight stiffness be-
gan to grow oppressive, she stepped
out through the window, and, descend
ing the broad stone steps of the veranda,
she passed down the graveled path,
stopping beside sweet syringa, whose
wealth of snowy bloom poured incense
all about her. Favorite flower of hers,
and favorite also of-another.
Humming a snatch of half sweet,
half sad melody, she scanned the
Towering shrub in the deepening
gloom, and, spying cluster of bios
SONS barely within her reach, she put
up her hand and stood tiptoe to grasp
the coveted prize. But soft step be-
hind startled her and another hand
with farther reach was extended
above hers, and, grasping, broke from
the bough the cluster of flowers, while
a voice which both her ear and her
heart recognized said Il wish | might
always gain for you such of life's
longed-for treasures as lie beyond your
easy reach"
Then while he begged her to let him
fasten them in the coils of her raven
hair she marked the little quaver in
steady while they worked. But you
will not wonder at that nor at what
follows when tell you this was way
back in those dreadful Sixties" those
years that tried the souls of men and
the hearts of women; when hearts that
one moment ran high with joy were
the next low plunged in the depths OF
despair; when, indeed, 'eyes looked
love to eyes that spake again." but
spoke only to tell of coming separation
for years, perhaps-and, "oh, sac
perhaps" for to how many it meant
forever! Oh, the horrors of war!
In those days mothers kissed, il
parting, the scarce bearded lips o
sons. who, it seemed to them, had bu
Just lett the cradles over which they
had sung their Hush, my dear, liz
still and Slumber.' Fathers hung OF
the ucclls of stalwart youths whc
had hut Just begun to be the stay o
their iuiirmity of years. Wives will
blauchcd lips quivering babe adieu t,
the husband and father, gazing agoniz
ingly by turns at the going helper anc
the staying helpless, the dependen
ones. whose infant lips called him ia
thcr' and hung on him for support.
All, YOU who had no part in tn,
scenes. too young to realize the anguish
all about you, Praise God from whom
all blessings tlow," and then join in tn,
PRAYER with us that never again ma,
the black and blood-dripping wings o
war cast Il shadow on our fair land. Il
you, perhaps, there was only the grand
eur Of the army with banners" tn
inspiring melody of fife and drum,
the graccfulness of the uniformed bod
of sollicrs, as hundreds of feet KEEP
time To the martial strains. All. if onl
that were all there is of war.
Int To our theme. The INSTEAD
hands, when they had fastened tn
snowy blossoms in place, caught i
their grasp the steadier hands of Ann
Brown. and while she was sOmewha
startled at the suddenness of the Who'll
affair, George Earle broke out with:
"Anns, ! must tell you all have
say to you quickly, and you will pardo
my impctuosity when you understnn
all Iou must have seen all along ho'
much love YOU. had not thought
speak of it till had accomplished ce
tain undertakings, but events hay
crowded ne to = declaration. Tell N