Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-05-16
ThornS and Orange Blossoms.
BY THE AUTHOR OF
ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL.
BY THE AUTHOR OF

everything was hateful to her. She
did not see any honor even in that to
which honor was due. Here it was
different All that was noble, beauti-
full, or dignified in high birth, in a
long line OF descent, in hereditary
nobility, was so placed before her that
she could not refuse her respect and
honor. She learned many things.
One warm, bright day in autumn,
Mrs. Ingram asked her to go with her
to the churchyard of Elm Green.
Il want to see my husbands grave,
Miss Beaton. l wonder IL other
people have the same sensation that
have-that being near the grave Of
one beloved seems to bring that be-
loved one nearer"
Il cannot tell" replied Violet.
Since l have been old enough to I'M
derstand, have lost no one by
death"
Quite suddenly. as it seemed to her,
great storm Of emotion swept over
her heart and soul. What II che.
died, the one man who had so CON-
pletely changed the course of her life?
Would she care to sit by his grave
that she might be nearer to him?
Il am always asking myself ques-
tions that cannot answer" thought
Violet.
She had poetry enough and SYM
pathy enough to note the beautiful ex-
preston on her companions fine old
face as they drew nearer to the
churchyard.
"My husband has been buried
twenty years." said Mrs. Ingram, yet
each time go to his grave it seems
to me that | am nearer to him; and IN
my fancy, as l grow old. my memory
of him grows younger. When he was
buried, | remembered him as old
and feeble; now l find myself think
ing of him as young, strong, vigorous
and handsome. My dear. which shall
l find him in heaven? Will he be the
old man with white hair who died
full Of years and honors. or will he be
the handsome young fellow who never
gave me any peace from the moment
he met me until the hour he married
me? often wonder which it will
be-"
Heaven seems to me the home of
eternal youth" remarked Violet,
reverently.
Think u the old and the feeble,
the weary and aged, who find refuge
there" said Mrs. Ingram.
Death gives back youth and
vigor," returned Violet.
How little we know. child. even
the wisest and cleverest amongst
u.s." said Mrs. Ingram.
And then they came to the pretty
old churchyard.
THE Ingrams have a grand family
vault under the church." said Mrs.
Ingram; "but my husband could not
endure it, He loved the bright sun
shine, the fresh air. and he prayed
always that he might be buried here
under the trees. My husband loved
all nature. especially all outdoor
nature. He was so bright and CHEEKY,
he took sunshine with him every
where"
And, as they walked together to the
green grave, the faithful old wife who
had been so true to one love and one
husband leaned on the arm Of the
beautiful young wife who had so I'M
pulsively and impatiently flung aside
her obligations and duties. A large
white marble cross stood at the
head, great elm-trees shaded it, birds
sung in the green depths, the fresh,
sweet wind swept over it bearing the
breath Of many flowers; it was
grave that seemed to take the bitter
ness from death. On the marble
cross was the simple record of the
mans life and death.
you see. my dear" said Mrs. In
gram, there is a space left for me.
and we shall sleep together there,
my husband and |. until the great day
OF doom. We shall stand together
then, face to face. and there will not
be the sound OF an angry word be-
tween US. II ever you marry, my
dear marry as l did-from love-"
Violet in her simple honesty. was
about to cry out Il am married !"
But she remembered in time that
she had annulled her marriage, that
she had taken off her wedding-ring
Mrs. Ingram sat down on one Of the
iron seats scattered about the old
churchyard.
Il am at the end OF life" she said
slowly, "and you child. are at the
beginning. You will love and marry
some day; you are too beautiful for
men 10 pass you by. Love and mar.
riage. the two great crowns, the two
great mysteries Cf woman's life, will
come to YOU Think, when they do Ct
all that say 10 you now. NY hus-
band lived with me thirty years, and
when We meet face TO face there will
not be the sound OF an angry word
between us. Think OF that, my dear
think of that"
And Violet did think. She remem.
hered her fiery denunciations. her
hot anger, her burning pride, her