Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-09
*%*.''x'"&x *s'*'.***@'%' ::
u - u =
! ER[A gT$. 5gR5 *. {, !
hlh ElDi X
x AGHLEH NlNI x
= =
:: ~~~~ )
= AMEETING AFTER :
LONG YEARS :
e.. .*%*. ::
a MEETING AFTER

| sSaf fS Ese SsS-s< %sSs<
Flowers. : cents Il buuch!' This cry
ramc from the pale. tremulouS lips of {
maiden Of Is summers. 1t WAS on q
crowded city street and the heat was st
intense that people were longing to h'
once more in the seclusion of their homes
Il will take ten lunches said polit,
/ voice in her ear. She turned with {
start. Ten lunches, She had not sold 1
lectcd the freshest and best punches and
with Il look of gratitude handed him the
flowers.
Erla SeymoDs was lovely girl, who
did all in her power to help her feeble
mother. Some days she sold flowers.
As Harold Nelson and the young lady
with him twho was his Sister, went oG
their way Nena remarked: What Il
beautiful girl. What a pity she has tc
sell flowers on the street,
Harold in his heart echoed her words
| This was not the first time he had seen
Erla Seymons.
And Erla forgot to cry, FLOWERS, !
cents a bunch.' She was standing idle
her brown eyes fixed on vacancy, think
ing of what or whom? Thinking un-
consciously of the young man whom she
| thought so kind.
That night in the library of the elegant
mansion of the Nelson's Nena remarked
Harold and l saw such a lovely girl
| He was just smitten, and on a flower
| girl toop
"Nena, don't talk in riddles, but tell
me about it," said her mother gently.
Then Nena, in her light hearted fash
ion, related their experience of the morn
| ing.
All through this recital the Hon. Fred
| erick Nelson listened intently, but said
nothing. He had also seen Erla the
flower girl and remembered her.
The next day, as he was about TO hail
car, his ear caught the sound of voice
crying, FLOWERS. B cents bunchr'
"That is the girl" he muttered. 'She
is the picture of Nella."
Why is this man talking in this man.
ner? We shall have to turn back and
read the past pages of the history of the
present Hon. Frederick Nelson.
Years ago at college he had for ROOM
mate young man about his own age
named Leroy Seymons.
Leroy was 4 youth of steady habits
and good character They soon became
fast friends and college chums. But
now something happened to cause a
drifting apart of the two. At an enter
tainment given by the students they
both first met Nella Stanton. Unlucky
day! Both met to love. One night in
the secrecy of their room they agreed
that each should do his best to win, and
that neither should interfere with the
other.
Nella favored Leroy, and when he pro-
posed was accepted. When Frederick
was told by Leroy that he had been ac-
cepted the blow was hard, and nearly
stunned him. Then, rs he fully realized
that Nella, whom he loved nigh unto
madness, loved Leroy, his grief and rage
knew no bounds.
He accused Leroy of treachery, saying
he had not given him fair play. He
ended by calling him traitor 10 the
holy bonds of friendship and saying he
never wished to see his face again.
Stunned by such treatment, Leroy ut.
tered not q word, but, collecting his
things, left the ROOM.
From that day to this Frederick Mel
son and Leroy Seymons had not looked
into each others faces. Shortly after
Frederick read of the marriage of Leroy
and Nella.
All this time Leroy and his young wife
were living happily together in distant
city.
One year, two years, passed, and the
couple were blessed with a beautiful lit
tie daughter, whom they named Erla.
She was the pride of their hearts; all
their thoughts and plans were for her
alone. One day cruel blow fell upon
the head of Nella. Leroy had been killed,
Oh the terrible anguish! But she would be
brave for her baby girls sake. After their
money was gone Nella hired some cheap
rooms and supported herself and Erla by
her needle. And now she depended on her
daughter for support, as her fragile
health prevented her from even this
means of support Meanwhile Frederick
had married a refined girl named Lottie
Ashley, who, after the first grief and
disappointment passed away he loved.
His one desire now was to see his old
friend and ask his forgiveness. Instead
of boarding the car he retraced his steps
and walked to where Era was standing.
Il will take the whole basket" he said
in a businesslike tone. Erla could have
III HIS lGtt lpI one
sold only two punches all this morning,
and row to sell the whole basket, and
mamma SO much needed some little lux
ury, and now she would have it. Happy
tears filled her lustrous eyes, and she
said in trembling voice, "Oh, sir, you
are so kind
Not yet sure as to the correctness of the
deal which had taken such possession of
him. he asked in a low voice, in which the
eagerness was hidden, What is your
name? "My name is Erla Seymons,
sir" This was the chance he had coveted;
it was his time. .'Erla Seymons" he
calculated in well feigned surprise. Il
used to know a man by the name of Le-
roy Seymons."
THAT was my own dear father" re-
piled Erla in a choking voice.
Where is he now?" he asked in ex-
citement which he could not suppress.
"He is dead, SIR" This was indeed
hard when he thought himself so near
his desire.
"And your mother?" he asked without