The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1899-10-05
MAMMA"

Victor VanDyke walked into the
largest real estate Office in Chantux
and asked the manager for keys to the
finest houses on his list. With n look
OF surprise. the man handed them TO
him.
Outside the business house he
looked at the key-tags and found that
the nearest residence was within
walking distance. Slowly he mean
dered in its direction. musing the
while
That the confirmed bachelor"
should purchase a home surprises
them. Let them laugh az me. | will
buy the handsomest edifce I can OBJ
tain and will endeavor to make her
life as much OF a romance as mine was
for that brief time. l ought to be hap
py, l suppose. She is a charming
creature, and more than all, by her
sweet wOmanliness, has caused my
dOlorOus past to be almost forgotten.
But was it other than delightful?
Yes, if three years in the presence OF
woman whose beauty OF face was re-
| Elected in every feature of her char
acter, can be thus. Were I, after these
I years of anguish. to be given the priv
| ilege of again turning those leaves of
life's mystery could l refrain?
Looking back at those evidences or
| misplaced affection, from the emf
! nence upon which fame has been
| pleased to place me, l wonder if l
ever revealed in the sweet companion
| ship of my souls false star. 1 seem
SO admirably fitted for the reticent life
1 since have led.
| By no circumstance here am l re-
minded of my transient joy, or the
subsequent. enduring heart-break.
| This lovely girl has chosen to bestow
upon me her preference. For my dull
| appreciation she lavishes smiles which
would fill the hearts of other mel
| with bliss supreme.
Do not imagine-sprites Of my old
seIf-that there is aught less modest
IN her department than that of her
| whose queeniy sway enslayed you in
those happy lotus-elting days.
AS | look into the waters of the
fountain. | see hair sprinkled with
sorrows SHOWS. 1t was not so when
together we gazed upon the placid face
Of the pool which she christened
"Resurgam." The name was typical
she said. Would that it were! She
was fond of my curls. She would rur
her flexile fingers through them anc
say: 1T is delightful for you to have
hair so much more beautiful than tina
Of any other man. 1t is blacker than
the plumes of my big Gainesborougl
hat"
Those hats were worn then, and N
Partisan had thought of creating al
ordinance for their removal at tn
theater. The whole house turned T.
look at her as we entered our box
The stage beauties were madly jeal
Gus of her. She was wonderfully beau
tiful. like a stainless lily. Her face
. always pallid. had the spiritual CLEAR
| sometimes seen in the luminous coun
, tenance OF a dark-haired woman. He
| lips glowed like the azaleas she a.
WAYS wore on her breast. They Wer
, | odorless, and hence commended them
selves to her Perfumes were offer
| sive to her. yet. as 1 remember, he
approach was ever preceded by an il
tangible sweetness, as of the fainteS
breath from fragrant flowers confine
in some secret receptacle. The refine
: perfume was Incompatible. l nevt
detect it now A mark of individual
l ity, it left me as did she
Then the shock Of finding her gon
when | recovered from the long feve
One woman called her thankless an