Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-15
BUD AND BLOSSOM.

Lillyp almost forget the years that have
passed when I sec you looking just as the
last time we met, " said the stranger, hold
ing out his hand.
Lilly was surprised and bewildercd by
the familiar address, but she placed her
hand In his, and just then Lilly's unclo
entered, and said
| "Ah, SO you have found our little one,
Paul. Is she not wonderfully like her
motherp 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, no
led her of for q 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 30 years before.
And when every day or evening found
him with them, the beautiful mother grew
moro beautiful, and seemed very happy;
Wull6 uer CullO, u0T SUjrxy ucuIVouy AouSh-
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, a grave,
quiet man, old enough to be her father,
never entered her mind.
Then, like a fash Of lightning, the
knowledge came, so sudden that she al
most sank beneath 1t. Both loved Paul;
one must suffer.
Lilly's happiness must be secured, II
possible How should she act to accom-
plish thatf
While the mother was ponderlng over
what to do, Lilly had decided. She knew
well how dear Paul Ewing was to her
mother, and from her uncle she had heard
how they were separated In their youth.
She would 60 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 q 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 o 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 the 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 I choosep"
LILLY, do you love Paul ErvingS'
"Indeed do, mamma, almost as much
as do you, and I wish you would give
me the right to call him father"
With q prayer Of thankfulness Lillian
pressed her child to hex.heart, and there
was perfect confidence between them.
"Tell me- Lilly, what taught you the
mistake you had made with regard to your
affection for Paulr'
Mamma, have been trying to tell
you" And then, 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 thusf"
"Oh, mamma, you will think 1t SO
strange! / scarcely can tell. have never
spoken one word to him and cannot say
know his name.
"He is young officer. My cousins and
I very frequently visited the dress parades
at the 'Ponti.' There I saw him. There
was something about him which reminded
me Of Mr. Erving, but he is very young
about 20, think. I believe I began to
love him right away"
II could have found out his name, but
would not inquire; was fearful the girls
would suspect me. Often saw him, and
soon noticed that he watched for my COM
ing, and 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.
stole with 1t to my room, hunted among
the sweet flowers sweeter still for the dear
little note / found hidden there"
And her mother read:
am suddenly ordered Of. could no longer
resist and have sought an introduction. I
should have been with you tonight Fate is
against me. II live, shall find and tell you
what you must suspect. Faithfully, E. e.
And you know not his name my
childp"
&NO' ouPPoSo ho ehOuBut uAl, ~ No
only signed his initials"
Lillian was 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
zee 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, a 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, . letter from his son, re-
oeived while Lilly was visiting her friends,
determined him to wait, and give them q
aurprise that ne hoped would he An aureea-