The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1893-02-11

but that didn't cut NO hggeri nc -
mostly alters hungry anyway"
He verified his statement; no hostesS
could wish for . more appreciatiss
guest
Two hours later. as Alice, bra We in car
dinal tea gown, sat in the rosy glow tnas
the flames Of the gas log were dutifully
trying to throw about her, there came
a vigorous ring at her door. 1t hashea
across Ter mind that possibly MIR.
Browne was going to forcstall the post.
man and know his fate by word OF
mouth. This possible impaticnce ac-
centuated the no that she intended TO
bestow upon that gentleman.
Turning on the gas, and giving
quick glance at the mirror, she opened
wide the door.
It certainly was not Mr. Browne who
stood there. Mr.. Browne was short
and rotund, forid also.
This man was tall, OF fine proper
lions, with clear-cut features and a fair
mustache.
Miss Gray" he said, interrogar
lively.
Yes"
my name is-but perhaps you re.
member my name?" and the tall man
stepped unlimited into the room.
YES size said, her eyes blazing. Il
rcmem Der your name. It is the namo
of the only man who ever treated me
with iisrespect Go back into tho
silence that has covered you for these
fifteen years"
Not yet" he said. 1.-THE morning
mail brought Inc this letter that you
mailed me SO long ago. Listen he
said. impetuously; sit down beside
me while tell you. The post office in
the little city to which this was sent
has recently undergone repairs A
package Of letters has been cxhumed
by the gas-fitters or plumbers. This is
ono of them. only hope the others
have been forwarded to as happy des-
tinatiou. And the dear words in the
letter-they are us true now as they
were then. are they not, Alice?"
80. don't know" she said.
"Find out as quick as you can, dear;
tho years have been long and hard, but
these eight hours have been-torture. :"
what do you think have endured?''
she asked.
Il don't dare to think of it,"
Then, as ninety-nine men out OF q
hundred would have done, he added:
1--WE will not talk about it. or even
think Of it. We will"
How did you find me?" interrupted
Alice.
II saw you at the restaurant with
your somewhat striking-looking guest.
knew you at once there's no woman
J in the world like you. A little later
caught the boy on the street, and with
some difficulty persuaded him to tell
me your name and where you lived"
MY name?' sriE
"Ycs; you might have changed il,
and then-I should not be here"
Then Alice told him Of her reversea
and successes little, only q little,
for she was wise woman-of hel
heartachcs and WEAKNESS, and then oil
MFR. Browne.
THAT is all past" he said; ''cspe-
cially MFR. Browne. You will teach mu
sic no more. You will let me set you
in the dearest spot on earth, happy
home. You will sing to me after this.
my dear"
do you know" she said, that this
is Valentines day-if we are not toe
old to speak the name Of that saint Of
sentiment"
$50 it is" he said land we are moi
too old. No one, no TACO, are old who
are as happy as we this hour" Their
he reached up and took the scraI
pinned above her desk and read
"'This day for all that is good ani
fair. 1t is too dear, with all it.
hopes and invitations, to waste a mo
ment on the bitter yesterdays To
morrow is new day. We will begil
it well and serenely and with too higl
q spirit to be numbered with our oil
sorrows and regrets agree with tn,
wise man who said that and we viii
both pay our vows ut the shrine OF tn,
: sweet saint Of to-day hereafter. Won
t we deary
, Then some friends dropped In, Ant
r after little Alice lighted the tiny ga
, stove behind the gay screen and sool
} there was singing kettle and daint.
; little feast, which the friends pro
nounced just lovely, but which the,
, two only knew was the feast Of be
trothal.
: Then they asked Alice for song
and this is what she sang;
I found 1t to-day In an unused drawer
| This treasured sweet Of a long ago.