Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-02-21

She was quoted and courted aud COP
led. but in the spring she would marry
me-fOr love.
That was n winter to warm dead
summers by its memory. We never
spoke OF the years intervening or their
experiences. Our fidelity was at least
no indiscretion. There must be a God.
In whose mind such joy was conceived
and fulfilled. Coming home from the
opera one night. when only a few
weeks lay between us and our mar
riage. frantic runaway tore through
the crowded avenue. leaving many a
wreck IN its deadly wake. Julia was
carried into "A mere boulevard cafe aud
died in my arms. my face 50 close to
hers she never saw the squalid sur
roundings of that Inst holy hour. though
l shall wear the terror stricken faces
OF tie Onlookers across my eyes for
ever. heightened by sad dreams. She
knew me to the last 'Sereta. she
whispered. keep her safe from the
world. My world has not been aIwavs
yours. Love Is more than She
smiled with her soul Her lips were
cold. Every haunt held stab for me
there From that night the sight OF
her flowers on the other women turned
me faint | shivered when | met one
Of the gay circle of her devoted inner
cOterie. Every mood OF passion re-
turned TO mock me now The sight OF
other lovers made me fear myself In
my shattered condition OF will and
nerves. came home with you. dear.
Life had given me all my boyiSh hopes
in n'anhood'S measure. / never reach
ed the high altar Of my holy OF holies.
but ! have heard the music Of the
great organ rs stood on the threshold.
'It WAS not until lately that realiz-
ed the time had come to do more than
listen and wait The blood of your
mother is in your veins too. We VIII
go soon. little friend. and make nc
quaintance with the best of her world
and mine.
But Srrct3 arms were crossed upon
her breast. AMI In voice too sweet for
any mortal woman save her mothers
child she said. Il will not 60 At the
end of an hours struggle she still per
sisted: Il Will not go. care nothing
for world that betrayed you and
broke your hcari. am not afraid. but
| will not .u,
Samuel found her singing "furria''
song over the honrysucklcs next morn-
Ing and waited to be drawn into con
verSation.
Morning. Samuel" There was his
chance without compromise OF dignity.
Good morning. Miss Swccta lot
day. ! guess" Then in queer voice.
quite unlike the usual grun Samuel:
It'll be lonesome enough not to hear
you singin Miss Swceta. Some say
you and the admiral are tired of roots
and goin away"
Going away?' repeated Sereta
'Why. samuel YOU said yourself only
little while ago thar the admiral wa.
py'rennial. and am another w,
are going into partnership with IN,
yellow lilies forever and ever" TP'
old man made 4 motion OF incredulitS
and. shaking his head as he did wher
rain was prophcSied in a drought re
marked: MAY Ice true Of the admiral
Miss Sweeta. but I expect that Other
soldier fellow'll Ice back here before fal
ANNNAh sAAttA NOlllt AlOlN NRllOW lin
slipS-like aS not. He said he took :
very particular interest In py'rennials
/ should think he would. He'll be tn,
first man that ever raised Il bulb from
a slip"
And Roger did come back many
times. hut he went straight 10 the ad
miral when advice was needed. fol
the kind Of flower he wanted was nev
er illustrated in the gaudieSt cataloSu,
OF Samuers loyal admiration. Nor vii
the yellow lilies watch in vain at tn,
end of the garden walk next spring
for Sereta has given her lover TO un
derstand that she is pyrennial q
the admiral. however satisfied he MAJ
be 10 live aS mere "blOwn away seed"
Perhaps she hopes lac will take roo
some day. Anyway. she smiles wheI
Samuel whistles. My hope is built OF
nothing less" "Sereta is TOO young.
says the admiral. "and am too old
Martha Gilbert Dickinson in Spring
field Republican.