Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-12-16

Don't you think you could come nows"
There was a little trclnble in his voice
born of tenderness and long years of wait
ing.
Aunt Alice was sorry for him, just as
he had been sorry for her when she was
left alone. II have always appreciated
your feeling for me-" she said. 'You
know how it has been. have always been
hoping against hope that the boy would
come back some day. OF late l have felt
that he is not dead, and ! would like to
have "a home for him when he comes, if he
ever does come. He might be poor and
need it." All the love of a woman's life
time was in what she said. but if you
want me l will will tell you in the
morning"
She held out her hand to him as he went
away, and it seemed to Ephraim that the
clouds were opening to show their silver
lining.
Morning came, and Aunt Alice had cut
some lilacs and was arranging them in the
blue bowl on the table. There was a click
as the gate swung open.
"That is Ephraim coming to cut the
grass, and to- Something like a blush
stole over Aunt Alice's cheeks. Then there
was a crunching of gravel under quick
feet, a stride that made two steps of the
five leading up to the veranda and a shad-
ow fell across the floor. Surely Ephraim
would not come in in such a rush. Aunt
Alice turned. The figure was almost as
tall as the doorway, the face was bronzed
by wind and sun, a cap with a knot of
gold about it was pushed back from the
dark curls, a blue uniform with a dash Of
gold made up the rest, but all this was as
nothing. Aunt Alice saw only the brown
eyes misty with emotion and the out
stretched arms, and heard only the voice
"Aunt Alice, don't you know your boy?'
"My boy" was all she said, and then
her arms went round his neck, and a
bridge spanned the years of silence and
sorrow.
"Ihave been dreaming of this for years.
he said at last, "when l should come back
to you and ask you to forgive me. l have
felt like an migrate always, but each year
l have promised myself to come, and I
wanted to surprise you"
Then followed explanations. Albert's
father, a seaman, had stolen the boy away
and taken him with him to sea. For
months it had been impossible for him to
get any word to her, then in the interest
of his life at sea he postponed writing.
His father died, he received an appoint
ment. Ambition claimed him.
II meant to bring an honorable name
to you when l came, Aunt Alice, and l
worked hard for advancement.
She glanced at his uniform, but it told
her nothing. Living inland, she had never
seen one like it before. She did not ask
any questions. She was so glad to have
him back she could not speak. She did
not dare ask if he would stay. She knew
his answer would be disappointing.
Then, after all the explanations had
been made and the history of the years
had been told, Ephraim drove upon the
lawn, and the chatter of the whirling knife
of the mower came to them.
"That is Ephraim Drayton," said the
boy. IT would have known him in China.
You didn't marry him, after all, Aunt
Alice. 1 always thought you would some
time"
Aunt Alice's face flushed like a girls Of
is. II didn't marry him, butt
but you are going to, Aunt Alice2 1
am so glad, for then you will not be alone
when I go back to my ship"
Ensign Travers' short leave of absence
soon came to an end, and the morning he
started to return to his ship the bell in the
little village church told the town that
there was a bride that day and that Eph-
rain Drayton was the happiest man in the
country. Ensign Travers kissed the bride
and said, "Pray for me, Aunt Alice, when
you read Of battles at sea, and dom forget
your boy" and to Ephraim he said: "Be
good to her, Uncle Ephraim. God never
made a better woman than my Aunt
Alice. "-Katharine Hartman in Buffalo
News.