The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-04-15


he had Indignantly refused. What
cared he for gold? His wants were
few, and his scanty income quite sup
piled them. His dog, his COW, his
saddle horse and his flowers were his
companions. All he asked OF tho
world was to lot him entirely alone IN
his lonely corner, and even this mod
est request was denied. Failing in
their attempts TO secure his lands tho
syndicate had purchased those adja-
cent, and the motor brought crowds
OF pleosure-seekcrs to his very door
three times day. Must he 60 away
from his friond, the ocean, and seek
some less attractive solitude2 Was
there any place in all the earth where
curious, prying tourists would not
venture9 lie thought ho was trying to
forget the dark chapter of his life, and
all the while he was nursing the mem
ory of it in his resentment to man
kind.
And so tomorrow ia Easter" he
mused,as the girlish voices grew faint
and fainter with the lengthening dis
tanco between. al used to keep holi-
days in that othor life of mine; but 1
have kept no record of them for 10
years. ] was TO have married Edna
Edred on Easter Sunday, 10 years
ago. His eyes turned with pathetic
longing TO the bank of snowy Gala
lilies swaying their waxou goblets in
the breeze Mt his side. On Easter
Sunday, 10 years ago tomorrow, he
repeated sadly. 81 wonder that 1
have cared Tor Gala lilies since, for
they always reminded me of her; but
somehow my life would be incomplete
without them" Was it quite COM
plcte with them. Ho seemed to think
SO, but his face did not mirror the
completeness.
81 bought Edna Gala lily bulb at
Christmas time that year." he con-
tinued, "and we said that its first
blossom should unfold for our we'd
ding day. How we watched that bud,
my little sweetheart and !, for she
was mine then, before my college
chum, Walter Benton came with his
greater facinntion, and deliberately
set about winning her heart from me.
That first calla lily bud opened to full
perfection on Easter Sunday, and
crowned his wedding feast, not
mine"
He was bending over tho lilies, al
most caressing them with his strong
hands, and did not see the eager little
face pressed against the rude fence by
which his garden was inclosed. A
moment later he was startled by
soft, childish voice lisping:
"Pleasc, Mr.. Man, may have ono
lily for my pretty mammals Easter ?"
Turning about, this picture met his
gaze A round, rosy face, wide en-.
treating blue eyes, dimpled chin
resting on the topmost slat of the
fence, the tips of ten rosy fingers, a
wide-rimmed hat blown backward and
mass of fluffy hair tossing about in
golden confusion. Had he schooled
his heart for nothing all these years,
that such a strong desire to take the
darling in his arms and kiss her soft
little mouth should fill him with long
ing now?
Mamma says that Easter is never
happy day for her" continued the
child with pathetic break in her
voice, like the beginning of sob,
"und guess that one OF those pretty
lilies would make her forget that she
can't be happy on Easter. Lilies
ought to make people very happy,
but you have such many, and you
don't look very happy"
A little lady came flying along the
beach beyond the sand dome, calling
distractedly:
"Ethel, Ethel, oh, where are you,
my child ?"
"Here, mamma. Do come and see
the pretty lilies.
Directed by the child's voice, the
little woman came toward the cottage,
and not seeing the gentleman at first.
began reprovingly;
"Only think what my naughty
daughter has done now. While have
been searching for you the last m o tor
loft for the city, and We must now
spend the night in this lonely place."
Then becoming conscious of another
presence, she turned her troubled
| face toward him.