Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-11-10

fhev passed from the more populOuS
part Of the residence portion OF the
south side Along the smooth. hard
road rang the horses hoofs. On the
left the lake rippled saPphirine and
slumbrous. Here and there on either
side were sweeps Of bronze-brown
grass and clover which would never
more be crimson. Ahead.-like the ru-
ins OF an old-world city--stretched that
graveyard in which are buried more
memories than in all the cemeteries Of
him above the plane of mere intelleo-
tuality?
Give me your flower, lady" said a
ssucy young voice.
She looked up into pair OF laughing
eyes. The owner Of the orbs put his
head out Of the window. and she saw
that IL was crowned with a wreath Of
roses. He held bouquet in his hand.
"No," she said; Il will save IL for
some poor fellow who hasn't any"
A voice sounded close in her ears as
though in answer 30 her remark.
They say that the boys in the cars
at the rear are complaining that they
don't get any attention" il said.
She pushed her way through the
crowd. still scanning the faces at the
windows. The large white petals OF the
magnolia had begun 90 droop.
The time OF the stop at Sacramento
had almost expired when she reached
the last car. Here the crowd had
thinned and several officers stood on
the depot platform. talking TO little
knots Of people. One was standing
with his back TO her. She stopped with
shortened breath and grew suddenly
white.
In a moment the crowd. the cheers,
the music and the flags had faded from
/ her senses. She stood in a suburban
/ garden of an eastern city. with the
spicy scent of pinks i'm her nostrils and
f the breath Of the evening breeze on her
hot cheeks. 4 man stood looking down
at her with grave. dark eyes.
"Win YOU send me away without
chance OF explanation? he said.
There is no explanation possible" :"
she replied. hotly. Il never want 10 see
you again"
Then she turned and fed: but be-
hind the mock-orange hedge she
watched him as he went sadly away.
and all her pride could not keep the
tears from brimming over in her eyes.
1t had been foolish lovers quarrel;
but she had married and gone away,
and they had not heard from each other
for more than three years.
Then the young officer turned. as
though in answer 10 her fixed gaze. He
started forward. and held out his hand
"Gertrude!" he cried.
She looked at him. bewilde-ed; and
her eyes dropped beneath the unguard-
ed ardor OF his. Both were oblivious OF
the people and the noise about them
Both had forgotten the years that had
separated them. They knew only that
they were together again.
Have you no word for me?" he said
And again his eyes were grave and sad
as on the day he left her in the gar
den.
II have brought you this" she re
piled. holding out 10 him the dropping
magnolia.
How did YOU know would be here?'
he asked.
II did not know" she answered. sim
ply; "but I must have felt il. for
would give il 10 no one else"
He took IL from her hand and looked
into her eyes with "A searching. passion
ate gaze. Then he remembered. II,
stepped back. his face suddenly veilet
In a mask.
How is JACKIE" he asked. duly.
4 'Jack?" she repeated. wonderingIy
Don't you know? Jack has been dea'
o for two years"
A flame OF color flashed in his whit
= face. The scream OF the whistle ros
over the roar OF voices and the soldier
3 on the platform scrambled hastily o.
the train. The crowd pressed closer Z
the cars and the girls with autograp
albums began 10 say good-by. But
had moved nearer 10 her and had take
| her hand.
"Trudie," ne said, softly.
. Tears sprang TO her eyes at the word
She had not heard the pet name 70
years.
Gerald" she said. "it was my fault.
He knew 10 what she referred an
he had no time TO waste words.
"It was mine as we'll" he replied. "
= should have written you the explans
tion when you would not listen. Sha
T" I tell you now?'
She shook her head. The moment {
|, time that was left them was too pr.
= cious 10 lose.
"You need never explain" she said
"f know that I was wrong Tell m