The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-05-10


ing tenderness which mother gives
to the belongings of dead babe. Yet
there were no infants clothes or play
things in the heterogeneous collection
scattered around her on the floor. Oc-
casionally a look of surprise and curl
osity mingled with the more gentle
emotions depicted on her sensitive
face. She glanced at the pages of an
autograph album The writers were
mostly dead. She gazed pensively
upon light green tarlatan dress, made
with puffings and plaitings, arranged
in an obsolete style. She had once
worn it to ball and thought the color
brought out in too vivid contrast the
red of her cheeks. A pair of light kid
gloves, somewhat soiled, were care
fully folded in linen handkerchief.
The prospectus of the school she had
attended came next to her notice. She
cast her eye down the page where
many names appeared corresponding
to the signatures in the old album.
Many of them were marked with stars,
land at the bottom in her writing was
star and deceased" She
stared at her name as though unaccus-
toned to the sight, and turned Sec
ond time to that of her best friend of
youthful days. Where was she now?
1T was many years since she had
heard word from her. She had tried
many times to gain some knowledge of
her whereabouts through mutual &C
.aquaintances, but in vain. She longed
Z for her, not as young girl t her
Yover, but as one weary of life and its
meaningless acquaintance longs for
the one most congenial friend of happy
youth.
Her attachment to this memory was
unique, it was 30 firm. Often her
dreams would drift through the pic
lures of years and shadow forth some
scene from her girlhood, SO true to life
that the friend would seem to stand
before her as she used to stand, with
the same neat blue calico which fitted
her graceful form to perfection; the
fine yellow hair, like strands of sun
shine, in one large plat ending in a
ribbon-tied curl; the same peculiar,
genial look, which mingled smile |
with the glance of one kindred spirit |
acknowledging another.
"Why had she never writtenP" The
little old woman had asked herself this |
question a sad number of tunes, and |
always with the bitter thought that |
she could have written if she wished.
With sigh she turned to package |
of letters-their narrow envelopes,
with the address written on the
diagonal, indicated a style of station
cry in vogue many years ago. They |
were tied with silk which had become
faded and frayed with age She un-
tied the knot and unwound the thread
until the bundle fell apart Selecting
one of the envelopes mechanically, she
withdrew the letter and read:
my OWE DARI1Eo: Thanks for the tender lit
tie missive you so kindly sent me yesterday. The
vioIets you inclosed, and which you gathered
out by the west orchard fence, are In cup OF
water on the table where write i sprinkled
their dropping little heads in the hope that
might revive them. bus though still drooping.
their perfume fills the air
Darling. don't worry your little head any
more over your friends objections 70 our mar
rage OF course know that considering you
have been such close friends since childhood,
her opinion must be OF great Importance 70
you. and would gladly DO anything In my
power 70 gain favor In her eyes.4f only could
make you more happy But she turns coldly
from me when attempt being pleasant 70 her