The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-08
BUD AND BLOSSOM.

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passed when I see you looking just as the
last time we met, - said the stranger, hold
ing out his hand
Lilly was surprised and bewildered by
the familiar address, but she placed her
hand in his, and just then Lilly's uncle
entered, and said:
''Ah, so you have found our little one
Paul. Is she not wonderfully like her
mother? Come, she is waiting to see you
And then Lilly and Paul Erving both
knew that the bud had been mistaken for
the blossom, but there was no explanation
then.
Lilly returned with her partner to the
dancing salon, but there was no longer any
enjoyment for her there. Her mind was
filled with thoughts of the handsome
stranger.
A little while longer, which seemed an
age to Lilly, and she saw him advancing.
With the familiarity of an old friend he
led her off for promenade, and then he
told her of his being very old friend Of
her mother and how much she was like
the Lillian he knew 90 years before.
And when every day or evening found
him with them, the beautiful mother grew
more beautiful, and seemed very happy;
while her child, her merry hearted, laugh
ing Lilly, became pale and quiet.
Lillian saw the change in her child, yet
never dreamed the cause. The thought OF
her merry little Lilly loving Paul. grave,
quiet man, old enough to be her father,
never entered her mind.
Then, like a flash of lightning, the
knowledge came, SO sudden that she al
most sank beneath it. Both loved Paul;
one must suffer.
Lilly's happiness must be secured, if
possible How should she act to accom-
plish that?
While the mother was pondering over
what to do, Lilly had decided. She knew
well how dear Paul Erving was to her
mother, and from her uncle she had heard
how they were separated in their youth.
She would go away, even though Paul
loved her, which she sometimes thought
he did, and leave her mother to win the
love she was willing to resign to secure
happiness for her.
So Lilly, with a sad heart, went to visit
among relatives set of merry girls as
were ever found Every day brought some
new engagement of pleasure, every even
ing a party or concert, SO Lilly had no
chance to indulge in gloomy reveries.
Weeks grew into months before Lillian
welcomed her child home again.
In the meantime Paul had again sought
her hand. But she could not answer him
until Lilly came back.
Lilly saw tbs anxious gaze and knew
well what her mother was thinking, SO,
clasping her arms lovingly around her,
she asked:
Mamma, when are you going to give
me the right to love Mr.. Erving as much
as L choose?"
Lilly, do you love Paul Erving?''
''Indeed do, mamma, almost as much
as 1 do you, and 1 wish you would give
me the right to call him father
With prayer of thankfulness Lillian
pressed her child to her heart and there
was perfect confidence between them.
"Ten me, Lilly, what taught you the
mistake you had made with regard to your
affection for Paul?'
Mamma, I have been trying to tell
you And them hiding her face on her
mother bosom, she whispered, "Another,
mamma, SO different, one I can never re-
sign, except with life.
''Why, my child, who is he that has
taught you to love thus?'
''Oh, mamma, you will think it so
strangel scarcely can tell. have never
spoken one word to him and cannot say I
know his name.
"He is young officer. My cousins and
very frequently visited the dress parades
at the 'Ponti.' There 1 saw him. There
was something about him which reminded
me of Mr.. Ewing, but he is very young
about 20, think. 1 believe began to
love him right away
81 could have found out his name, but
would not inquire; 1 was fearful the girls
would suspect me. Often l saw him, and
soon noticed that he watched for my COM
ing, and a smile of recognition and salts
faction would always greet me. Yet he
never sought an Introduction.
''We had met this way for three weeks,
and then he was ordered suddenly off. The
day he left received an exquisite bouquet.
1 stole with it to my room, hunted among
the sweet flowers, sweeter still for the dear
T E., I. /
And her mother read:
am suddenly ordered of. could no longer
resist and have sought introduction.
should have been with you tonight. Fate is
against me. If live, shall find and tell you
what you must suspect. Faithfully, E. E.
"And you know not his name, my
child?''
'No. I suppose he thought I did, SO he
only signed his initials. -
Lillian again promised to Paul. A
few days before their wedding he said:
LILLIAN, bring young friend to pre-
sent to you
A little stir caused Lillian to look and
see her lover standing in the door. An
swering his gesture she followed him into
the library and was scarce seated when
she heard cry of surprise from Lillian.
Seated beside her, clasping her hand,
Paul Erving had told Lillian that, few
months after the news of her marriage, he
had yielded to the persuasion of his mother
and welded a distant cousin, frail little
creature, who only lived long enough to
place in his arms their bOy-that he had
delayed telling her this at first; why, he
, knew not.
Afterward, a letter from his son, re-
ceived while Lilly was visiting her friends,
determined him to wait, and give them
surprise that he hoped would be an agreea-
BILE one, and Paul concluded by saying:
''He is with her now, renewing her ac-
quaintance. They have met before"
''Do you mean to say
eyes; that my boy is as desperately in
love with your child as his father was with
her mother 20 years ago.''-Exchange
Lost, a Brothers Ashes.