The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1897-12-08
"A Journey to the
!. Land of the Sky.

II OAul VI luilillB BLOW. tit #l3 63hf( t.3.l 4iHq
', "A tall man paced the length Of tho
platform impationtly. The collar Of
his topcoat turned up about his ears
almost met the soft felt hat pulled
down to protect his eyes Delayed
n trains conduce to rostlessness, and a.
sleepy railway station is not exhilarat-
ing undor favorable conditions.
i His native land had givon him Il
cold greeting. Not patch of blue,
= not gimmer Of sunshine to welcome
him. The laden sky gave color to his
thoughts. Women change 50, md tho
years had been long. 1t was ten yoars
since ilo bahe Margaret good-by OH the
rose-covercd porch Of her fathor's
4 home. Hc had lifted his miserable
eyes to the soft Indifference Of hers,
and ayowed to love her only her
forever The roses bowed, their hoads
IN sympathy; or was it to hide, their
laughter? Her picture had neyor fad
cd from his memory Even in that
busy, hurrying lifo ho could not for
get.
II SO he had determined to come homo.
Tomorrow he would SEQ her again,
would watch the smiles dimpling her
face. 1t was worth o trip across the
continent, lie told himself, to SEQ once
more the dimplcs born Of youth, and
4 Joy steal in and out about her ripe, red
lips.
Again the thought that womcn
change thrust itself upon him. He
lifted his head resolutely. Ills dream
maiden would meet tho reality; if the
result was disappointing, he would
give up tho memory, and in his far
4 western home---forget.
Nh He passed slowly up the length of
the crowded car. Most Of the passen-
gers at this season were in search Of
health, that elusive wil-o'- -the-wisp
that danced ever before them always
Just beyond their rcach) and led them
now to the lowlands of Florida, now
to the glorious heights Of the Gland
of the Sky"
M At the ond of the car q woman sat
gazing out Of the window. TO his
request she gave assent in
tone as cold as the snow outside, thon
gloncing around and up into the eyes,
< bent upon her ungraciousness, she
moved nearer the window and swept
the book and magazine lying on the
seat into her lap Having ensed her
conscience Of any possible rudeness,
The returned to the window.
Her GOODNESS angered him. He was
not accustomed to being thus disposed
Of Who was she, this Indy Disdain?
tie watched her furtively. How serene
and self-possessed she was. How dark
the lnshes that almost touched her
smooth, round check. Her heavy
coiled hair lie started it was the hair
of his drcam-maid. If lie could look
into hor eyes again, but she was nb-
sorbed, unconscious of his presence,
dost in admiration of the white hakes.
EHe could stand the uncertainty no
3 longer.
An utterly absurd childish rhyme
rang in his cars. eff it be 1, he will
gladly wng his tail; if it be not T, he
will loudly bark and wall. He gave
himself little angry shake, and yet
IF it was she. He stretched his hand
to the magazine. On one of his strong,
white fingers he wore quaint, old
fashioned ring. She would remember
it.
May I?" he said, thcn as she
turned her startled eyes upon him.
luNy J., MISS MnfBafot!
a ''Robert, Robert Elliott" the words
came in astonished, fiuttering gasps,
but sho quickly recovered herself, and
held out her hand, welcoming him
home in pretty, friendly fashion.
Tho afternoon wore away Tho pas
sengers across the aisle regarded their
sudden friendship with curious and
somewhat suspicious eyes.
The engine was climbing The noun
tain now, painting and snorting, but
plowing through the snow in an
angry, determined way.
He brought his conversation around
to the morning Of his departure. With
charming irrelevanco she ignored it,
and won't back to more remote
period.
n "Do you remember one dO, on the
mountain- was the summer I met
you, and I was not quito 1872 How
long ago it seems
Did he remember that day? That
golden dny Of youths enchantlnent,
when they, with eager steps, had
climbed together the steep ascent, and
looked down upon the others far be-
low. He breathod again the fragrance
OF the pines and mosses. Above thom
the most ethereal blue Of the vaultod
arch; below carpet more elastic,
more beautiful than ever the looms of
Brussels or Antwerp woyc. Around
and about them tho rare Intoxicating
air; out and beyond them tho hazy
distance. Billows upon pillows over
rising, ever receding toward the dim
line whore the sky and earth met upon
"a level plain.
eyes; I remember." no answered,
quietly; you wore q blue gingham
sunbonnot, and the string came off.
have tho string still.
She raised her blue eyes, filed with
laughter, but she did not interrupt
him, she was contont to listen.
"Wo went down q little way to a
apring. and you dranl from my hat.