The morning call., 1893-03-24
WAFFLE BLOSSOMS

She was plain little body. with no pre-
tensions TO any other beauty than that
which abdes forever with Kind heart and
gentle thoughts, and her mind and heart
were one. Like brooding hen, with her
world beneath her wing, she would have
been content to live for those children of
her dreams that were never to be born.
Still young girl. she hoped for life wait
ing in patient apprenticeship till freedom
and sweet bondage should come at once, till
she could understand love, and live so that
she should die in the attained peace that
rises from natural fulflment.
And in the long twilight of morning eX-
peetancy Maggie Wyatt tended another
woman's children on the banks of the Aus
tralian Murray, just where it ceases to foam
and fret. where it promises to widen and
grow deap so that 1t may bear burdens,
even as those do who drink its waters until
another cup is offr red to them.
She loved the children and was patient
with them. 1t pleased her to learn their
wavs; their mother trusted her, for she
looked calm and sweet. To one who might
have known her she would have been
sweeter. as sweet even as the golden waffle
that crowned the spring. But among the
men there none knew her worth; they were
busy with other things. Nor, indeed. had
she seen among them even the semblance
OF her dream. Yet the shadow of it came
at last and worked with the others of her
long year among the hills
He was tall young fellow of 10, not
handsome nor ugly, but quick and strong to
learn what work came to him. As yet, for
al! his youthful fancies of great preeociOus
knowledge, he had not even the capability
of learning the hearts OF women. That was
perhaps 10 come. but now he loved the
horses and the lonely mountains and the
aspect OF the quiet streams and the coloTs OF
bright birds. But soon the others saw and
smiled
Maggie is very fond Of Jack Seaton, they
said.
But it naVer occurred to Jack for one
moment. He was so busy in his new coun-
try.
They lived under the same roof. for he
was learning the ways of the sheep that
brOwsed upon the hills above them. So he
often heard her voice rs she spoke TO the
children. But he never knew how beauti-
full voice it was. And sometimes when
she spoke 20 him or answered he saw her
eyes, But he never saw their beauty, though
the beauty that grew into them was for
him alone. No others ever said they were
lovely. If he had locked upon them in some
far year, when lie bad learned good and
evil and was not very tired, he might have
known. But now he was but an ignorant
child
One day, 1t was Sunday and summer, ne
asked her if she would walk with him 20
the shed where they sheared the sheep. 1t
lay through two gates and was half mile
away. Size walked exalted. but with down.
cast eyes, trying 10 believe she was with
her lover, not being satisfied to know she
was with love Jack talked of horses and
the past sheaIing, and the tricks of sheep,
and the sea, and of England. She knew he
was only boy, and, though she was full
year younger, she felt so strangely old. For
the woman who loves is as old as tile race;
she has borne the worlds children. But
Jack was very young still.
They went through the woOdshed gate
and in the big door. They sat down in the
heavy shadow that was shot with blazing
sun rays that pierced the worn and broken
roof. Outside tile light beat upon brown
grass and the barren sheepyards. Stray
locks OF wool grew odorOus in the heat.
snake that had crawletl by a week ago,
for the dust lay heavy there. Then puff
Of waffle scent grew about them; the cooler
hills had breathed upon the plain.
How beautiful the water smells" said
Maggie.
II smell the sheep yelk," answered Jack,
with a smile. And he talEed of his dog.
AS they went back she broke tiny
branch Of waffle ana gave it TO him. He
smelled it and dropped 1t as he opened the
garden gate for her. Then he went TO his
room and wrote letters home. She sat by
the river all the afternoon with the chill
dren. But her eyes were on the river.
Nould her lie-stream ever broaden?
Perhaps" she said and smiled.
But the summer passed, and the winter,
and Maggie went back 10 town to live with
her sister. 1t struck her to the very heart
to see how little Jack troubled IL
pleased her so thai her heart stopped beat
ing when he said he would soon see her in
town.
Il will write and tell you where 1 live"
said Maggie.
She wrote him letter. She wrote him
many, but only one was sent and that was
not answered for a long time. When
Jacks answer did come he had seen as
little In the timid written words as he had
seen in her timid eyes. For six months he
heard no more. But then he went down to
the town. that was only forty miles away.
One afternoon as he sat under the veranda
of his hotel he saw young woman pass
who was dressed in mourning. She looked
at him absently as she went by, and it
seemed to him that he vaguely remembered
her face. He asked the townsman WHO sat
near him.
ITS Miss Wyatt" he was told.
Next day he met the same girl in the
street and stopped. Raising his hat he
said:
81 think you are Miss Wyatt? Might
ask how your sister is? l knew her at
Tumut."
She threw one quick glance at him, and
tlSu Years ulIeu neE eyes.
You are Mr.. SeatOn?" she said. And it
was Maggie's very voice.
Yes" answered Jack.
Maggie is dead" said the girl, and then
she went bitterly. walk with me little
way, Mr.. Seaton."
And without saying anything at all Jack
went with her. IAsey came at last to a
little house set back behind a rose garden.
Il cannot ask you in. but wait. Maggie
lett Il letter for me to give YOU"
And Jack leaned against the fence and
waited. Maggie's sister returned In min
ute, aud as she came down the path he saw
Maggie again for a little space.
''She died week ago. And Mr.. Seaton,
erhaps you didn't know, but Maggie loved
you very much"
Then, though be could not see the sister,
he saw Maggie and heard her voice:
How beautiful the waffle smeIS!"
~ am sorry! | am sorry !" said Jack
Don't be sorry" said her sister; good :
by"
Aud be read the letter in the road:
81 am dying, and sc you won't be angry
with me, Jack. For | loved you. Good-Oy.
l am glad that you should knOw.-Maggie" 4"
And then Jack remembered how beautiful
she was. He wished he had kept that spray
of waffle blossom which he had dropped by
the gate he had opened 10 let her pass