The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-03-22

Ten0 !! ne 6cuUtU. LES, diHA
still am devoted to your interests, Miss
Lucy"
ssThat is good. We Inow few peo-
Die here, and now I must go to meet
Ellen
You are going to meet-her-
now?''
"Yes.''
"Well, ask her, Miss Lucy. to step
in and get the watch herself, and
don't tell her who [ am, you know.
Let me have my little surprise"
Every well, will. I am sorry can
not come back with her, but I have
an engagement
Mr.. Fem, with sudden heartiness,
grasped the slender gloved hand OK
tended to him. ''Good-by." he said.
,"You came in like the spring sum
shine, Miss Lucy
After the girl had gone Fem sat for
some moments lost in thought. How
many memories the girl had stirred
within him! How like she was to that
other girl-Ellen-whom he had once
known.
With deep sigh he turned, from
force Of habit, to the watch before
him. He we'll remembered that disa-
greeable. little monitor which had dis
turbsd SO many pleasant hours! His
accustomed fingers pressed the large,
old-fashioned plate which protected
the works from dust, and there fell
into his hands 4 folded paper, yell
lowed with age, which opened as he
reverently touched it.
There, exposed 10 view, was the face
of the young man who had glanced
back at him from the mirror and with
it was Withered violet, which lightly
fluttered out. 1t was brown and dry,
but it preserved its freshness and
fragrance il faithful woinan's heart,
it seemed-and in one other, as he
well knew.
For a long time Mr.. Fem sat gaz-
ing at these relics Of a sunny past, his
hand over his eyes, his expression lit
tie betraying the disttlz' bance within.
Finally ne shock his head sorrowfully
did Fem look like that?" ne
thought. Was there ever a time when
I was really happy? I have changed
in appearonce"- smiled bitterly
land not fer the better, but I have
also grown in charity. What a young
fool I was! To have such happiness
within my grasp and then to scorn it
to throw it stway-because I was too
proud to demand an explanation! All.
WE'LL" He reused himself and looked
up in his old, absent-E,inded way at a
woman who stood awaiting his atten-
ton. Her eyes were riveted upon the
paper in his hands-slle had not
glanced at Mr.. Fenn's face-while his
gaze never left her countenance dur
ing their entire interview.
II see," she said, in low, falterine
tones, "that YOU have already opened
the watch my sister brought AS shs
spoke the color rose in her face in the
same dear old fashion, taking away
the pressure of the years, until shc
seemed a girl again i'll the eyes OF the,
man who watched her.
EYES, he said, gently, ''but do not
begrudge me my peep into paradise
Ellen
At the first sound of his voice sht
had glanced incredulously up, he7
tened-and looked.
Edward" she gasped. ''Why, i,
can't be Edward"
eyes," he said, reassuringly, putting
his hand over hers as it cIutched a;
his desk. ''Why not? We We're
bound to meet some day, you know"
EYES," she 1nurmufed, 81 have al.
ways felt that if you were living !
should see you again" Her eyes fell.
his desk. ''But these thin gs''-he
flush deepened-ST am sorry you ever
saw Them
ooh, no, Ellen, not sorry. but glad.
Stay, 1 will show you my treasures
As he spoke he drew forth his own
timepiece and opened the back. There.
smiling up at him, was her own face
as it had looked 20 years before, fresh
in its girlish beauty.
"All these years?'' she asked. "Have
you never married, then, Edward 90
Married some one else, Ellen? You
know better-you must have known
better all the time.''
Eyes" she whispered, 81 Knew
''Ellen," he urged, softly, lone day,
ever 50 many years ago, boy said
to you that he would never ask you
for love again. He does not, but
man does-now. He asks you for al
that boy threw away, because he has
wanted it all his life
''What do you mean?'' she asked,
family.
Nothing to frighsen you, dear. Il
want you to marry me still. I have
wanted you every day since we parted,
but / thought you had long ago mar.
Hed-there is no use going into that
We are not children now. How do YOU
feel about it, Ellen? Are you willing
to pass the rest of your life with me?'
Ellen lifted her eyes to his-eyes
that appeared young, because re-
deemed from age by the radiant light
of love within them
Il will do just as you say" she said,
simply.
Promptly the matchmaker stepped
out from behind his desk, passed her
hand through his arm and approached
the astonished proprietor.
II want a vacation, SIR" he said. II
haven't asked for one in many years,
but want one now. Ny assistant
can do all the work we are likely to
have at this time of the year,
II shall be glad to give it to you,
Mr.. Fem. but why have you decided
so end1en1v2"