The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-05-09

| lIuu tuc phisUnuSe pOIciy otepptu uIihNl
over the walk between the box borders, ant
disappeared down the dusky lane which raj
past DR.. Farrell's house.
Everybody foretold a wedding. However
one morning in early Autumn Mr.. Tool
turned the last leaf of theological research
and, obedient to relative from whom h,
had expectations, left New Market
Affection for Anna Farrell was the one
firm point in hisyariable mind, the strength
of which his rather paltry nature was capa
bic. There was much said about a stern
determination to live faithful to each other
though fate in the guise of rich uncle
should separate them for 80 years.
Thus disappeared from New Market Mr.
Ivan Took, in the 25th year of his age and
the fifth month of his courtship. For long
time the good people were accurately en-
abled to follow him through the poiteness OF
the Postmistress One month found him
in New York, the next in ST. Augustine,
Chicago, San Francisco, after while in Lon
don, Paris Vienna. After four years the
letters ceased, and not even the POstmistress
could explain, though she advanced many
theories. Annals one romance ended, as far
as her frie nds were concerned.
Six years longer she wore at the annual
festival her wreath of snowballs and roses,
but the following May the pompous old
doctor was found dead in his chair; her
place was filed by younger maiden and
passed forever out of her keeping.
After their fathers departure death in
the village the birth of a child the farewell
of one minister or the advent of another
were all that varied their days. Summer
mornings she tended the plants, the same
flowers that had bloomed for years in the
same places within the box-edged borders,
and she and Mary practiced their old
! fashioned music. Afternoons they read and
wrought divers kinds of fancy-work, such
as had been taught them in their school
days. May found them under the tree
| by the office window in sight of the
gate. When October came they worked
and read within doors They scarcely ap-
preciated the flight of time. Once Mary, in
speaking on the subject which never lost in
terest, had said: "If he comes" Anna,
| with mild Indignation, had repeated:
If he comes? Surely you do not doubt.
/ have never had reason to question him."
but have you ever thought of it? 1t
has been so long; 80 years the 9th of this
September since he went away, and % years
! the 2Gth of this September since you had
his last letter."
at has not seemed SO long," said the
younger woman. This was the first time
that either had referred practically to Mr..
Ivan looks absence. "And to-day is the
27th.n
They were sitting upon the same little
rustic bench upon which they had sat every
fair Summer afternoon during all these
years. The soft swift breeze shook the
leaves from pear-tree near by, and drove
them in tawny showers whirling to the
ground. ~
Anna cut strand of crimson wool, care
fully fastened the end, and glanced toward
the hedge
There was the sound of light and rapid
footsteps drawing near-nearer-the click
of the latch and Mr., Took stood before
them. Anyone WHO had seen him SO years
ago must have recognized him. The face
which had looked old on young man
had now an absprdB youthful appearance.
He said, as if he had only parted from his
friends in the morning:
" He is dead, died in Egypt-nearly
hundred; buried ,ine sight of the Pyramids
by particular request. ! travelled night and
day to reach here ON the 27th." Then re-
membering his customary salutation of years
ago: -
"I hope I find You quite well, ladies, this
afternoon" -
"Qnite well, thank you," replied Mary.
She answered from force of habit. "Please
to be seated"
She looked at her sister and back again at
Mr.. Took, who stood twirlng his hat on one
finger Just such hat as he wore years ago
when he came counting TO the same spot, ex
cept that the brim was not so broad. This
helped to impress the reality of his appear
ance upon her. She laid her hand upon her
sisters arm:
"We have not given Mr. Took welcome.
We are most happy to see you again"
He turned to Anna: May l hope-dare
! ask the same kind assurance from -
He paused and they stood looking at each
other, their bands extended.
In that moment the conviction came home
to each that 80 years taken irrevocably from
the fullest period of life left little for the
glamor of romance. They had not missed
their youth from themselves-they missed it
from each other. They had lived uncon-
scious of the lapse of time; it's marks on
other faces had not appealed to them. AS
each looked into the others eyes and
scanned the others features, for the first
time they recognized the reality of middle
age. They had cherished an illusion, kept
alive by constancy almost supernatural;
its vanishing left them dazed
They shook hands and sat down, but
there was nothing 10 say. All the fine
things of which they had dreamed Sum-
mer and Winter suddenly forsook them
The weather has been fine; an unus-
ually pleasant season"
The voice seemed to come from beyond
the world although they knew it was Mary
who spoke. She had been in the habit of |
making the same observation 30-some years
ago.
"The garden is looking well. / hope you
enjoyed your travels" ETC., etc.
She left them finally with the ancient |
excuse of household affairs. Mr.. Took |
shook off the bswilderment which possessed |
him he rose with n curious air of hesita-
ton and decision Anna rose also.
81 have come to offer you-to beg of |
you-lopg ago l told you you were the |
only woman in the world for me. / would |
have offered you my heart. but what value |
has heart without home? | am mOder-
ately rich man now, and l beg you to share
all possess~
81 think understand oil you would have
given me had it been in your power" said
Anna when he paused, and think-I am
sure / know what we both would say now.
Perhaps it will lie easier for me than for you.
1t is too late. We never thought it would
be- but il is We have made mistake, not
in the affection we had for each other-O,
how can L say it!Tbnt it seems as if love