Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1897-11-26


long ago it seems.
Did he remember that day? That
golden day Of youths enchantment,
when they, with eager steps, had
climbed together the steep ascent, and
looked down upon the others far be-
low. He breathed again the fragrance
of the pines and MOSES. Above them
the most ethereal blue of the vaulted
arch; below q carpet more elastic,
more beautiful than ever the looms of
Brussels or Antwerp wove. Around
and about them the rare intoxicating
air; out and beyond them the hazy
distance. Billows upon pillows ever
rising, ever receding toward the dim
line where the sky and earth met upon
a level plain.
eyes; l remember" he answered,
| quietly; ''you wore a blue gingham
sunbonnet, and the string came of. /
have the string STILL
She raised her blue eyes, filed with
laughter, but she did not interrupt
him, she was content to listen.
1--WE went down little way to a
spring, and You drank from my hat.
Afterward l climbed the tall pine Just
below and carved your name and mine.
never knew boy who did not carve
his sweetheart's name on q tall tree, "
he added boldly.
"Oh, those dear old unconventional
days" she laughed
Her laughter was low, and il rippled.
1t thrilled him. II was good to hear
IL again.
''You rode behind me down tho
mountain. wonder il really thought
you yere 50 tired" she continued
eyes, and at the foot begged our
chaperone to let me drive you home.
Then the storm came on. Do you re-
member? Such stormi The food.
gates were opened just over our heads
the trees creaked and groaned, the
wind swooped downward through the
pines and in the east where the
darkest clouds rolled, the lightning
played in long glittering threads. At
the first fierce gust your parasol-our
only protection-turneda somersault,
then 1 remembered the gray blanket
under the seat, and wrapped it about
you and myself. Wasn't it a picture?"
merrily, land begged for kiss. I
was so near, so near-but / was
awfully afraid Of you," he leaned to-
ward her, "you promised to give it
some day." he added tenderly.
ut is out OF date" coldly, "T don't
believe / ever did all those dreadful,
improper things" she flashed indig-
nantly. She turned from him to her
contemplation Of the window.
He leaned back in the seat with q
little laugh born of content. The
lamps were lighted some time ago.
The engine gave one long shrek and
sped on in the darkness. The passen-
gers aroused themselves and began to
get into their coats. He fastened her
wrap about her with unsteady fingers
Her brother would meet her Could
he wait until tomorrow? He had
waited so long.
The man across the aisle was strug-
Cling with refractory sleeve. twas
the most opportune moment.
Margaret" he whispered, "you
know why have come"
She had the advantage, and, woman
like used il. "You have fastened il
oil wrong-you are nervous. Are you
sick?" This more kindly, for the light,
the courage had gone from his eyes.
"Yes," he said, desperately, "sick
Of the long waiting for you. OF weary
nights, of restless days-Margaret,
end it all. Say yes, dear"
II is sweet to be wooed, but oh, what
must she do? Encouraged by her
silence, he shook her hand.
The man across the way had gotten
into his coat, and grinned sympathe-
tically.
"The man." she whispered. ooh,
Robert, please let my hand 60"
"Yes-say yes, then"
"He is laughing" desperately.
"Rob, dear Rob, please don't"
His tender, triumphant eyes were
upon her. A deep rose glow dyed
her face and neck.
Then say yes--it is such a little
word, Margaret
ayes, yes" she breathed.
The train stopped with lurch. The
people moved to the doors. She
turned and looked from the windows
that had witnessed her happiness. II
was cold outside. The air was whirl-
ing Wilderness, but summer, the per.
fume Of flowers, the song Of happy
birds, was within her heart.