The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-12
AFTER MAjVY Days
By FRANK H. SWEET

bered that there was not single gray
intruder among her own soft hair, and
ms she associated with the work which
had conquered obstacles and adversely.
Alfred!' she said as she went forward
with extended hands. -.
elizabeth
Come up on the -veranda, Alfred she
said, with her eyes full Of frank welcome.
Il want to hear all about it. OF course
[ know In fragmentary way, but it will
seem new and more real from your lips
And he told her, sitting in his old place
behind the honeysuckle, with the swaying
sprays sending alternate lines Of sun
shine and shade across his face in the
same old way. And she listened with
eyes full, lips, half parted and with her
head nodding commentator or sympathy
from time to time. 1t was a story Of
heroism and triumph told in a straight
forward, matter ofafact way, without
egotism or self depreciation, knowing it
was her right to have it entire even as
he had lived it.
'Isut it is coed to be home again,
Elizabeth he concluded, with a satisfied
sigh, as he leaned back in his chair and
surveyed the veranda and the flower gar
den beyond. 1.-THE memory of these flow
ers and their owner has been with me
through all the twenty years I have been
away. Many times have I been on the
point of giving up and returning to them,
and, indeed a trace of reserve coming
into his voice, Il must have done so but
for what you said and the look you gave
me when we last stood together among
your honeysuckles. I knew 1 could only
| return to the sentence of deserter, who
had forsaken his colors.''
She was looking at him in a wondering,
startled way. with the color coming soft
ly into her face.
"But-you never wrote, Alfred
yes. twice. One of the letters was
lost, however, for l heard later of the
ships going down in midocean.''
Ivnever received it," Then, But you
| have been in the place a week, Alfred,
! and only just called.
| He looked puzzled. Il came in on the
train an hour ago. Elizabeth, and would
! have been here before but for ccmpli-
cation over a telegram. 1t seems there is
another man of the same name in town.
But Susie?'
| Never mind Susie, whoever she may
be. I have gone through my probation
| and have done my work with all the
| strength that God gave me. Now I have
come 10000 miles for my reward-for you.
If there is more work, bid me do it; but
| for Charts sake do not refuse your
| companionship in the labor"
She was not looking at him now. Her
! heart was too full for speech, almost Tor
! thought. The dog rubbed against her.
| and an oriole lifted up his voice in a sud-
den ecstasy of song. She stroked the
| one TREMENDOUSLY and looked at the other
| with the tenderness Of the great joy that
| had come to her.
Then the gate clicked, and she reused
herself with an effort. A young man
| whom she didnot know stood before her,
and with him was Susie.
1--WE brought him at last Miss Will
bur-" the girl cried merrily. But l just
had to drag him, he's so bashful. Mr..
Gray. this is my Sunday school teacher
I told you about Then, disregarding
further formality, and with bubbling
gladness in her voice. An oh. say, Miss
| Wilbur, we've coaXed him to stay with US
for good an all. He's goin' to open a gro
| Gerry next the pOstoffice.' Here she
caught sight Of the gray haired. seldierly
figure in the background and stopped ir
sudden confusion.
This is Mr.. Gray, too, SUSIE Miss
i Wilbur said, with something in her voice
which the girl could rot understand
land I'VE ,.too are-going to be married.