The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-15
By LESTER GRAY


some time ago, but you did not seem to
notice me. You were too busy watching
the sunset. Your face was TRANSPORTED.
Where were you then?"
II was in the land Of Dreams" she
answered softly-'in the land Of long ago.
1t is far away from the hurrying crowds,
the noise and heat of this great city, and
there one never knows WEAKNESS and
heart hunger. I know, for was there
once" .,.-.s.- E. u. -.ss~Ese.
why do you not go back?" he asked,
| 81 cannot. Those who loved me and
whom loved are all dead. There is no
place for me there.,' "cZ@aCr -. = .s=.'
! : The light of peace had faded from her
face for a sickening SENSE of reality had
come to her as she. spoke:~ But she had
caught the note of bitterness, in the mans
voice, and now she turned to him, eagerly,
| gratefully The moonlight showed
handsome young. face, worn and haggard,
it's beauty dimmed by the too plain marks
.of. dissipation. In the dark, eyes was the
shadow of despair. But the girls face
only softened into pity. =. .~S.ss'f 49,
"Where is your dream country" she
| asked wistfully. -"
: He shrank a little from her clear gaze.
Then he shrugged his shoulders with reek-
less nonchalance. "Oh; am not as lucky
as you. I dare not even dream OF my
country, much less go back And he
| laughed bitterly. -
':Then YOU mean you are afraid to go
back?" -. f. $780,. -.
"Afraid?- No!': he cried passionately,
! as though stung by her words. Il do not
wish to go back. What's the use?' 4
have burned my bridges behind me-
-. She laid her hand irnploringy on his
arm as there no one left there who
loves you,'' she asked softly-''no one who
wants you to come back?"
She almost thought he had not heard
the question, he sat SO silently looking at
the water rippling in the moonlight. Or
/ perhaps he was angry. II she could re-
call her words.
Suddenly he caught his breath thickly,
as if to choke back Sob. YES there is
one" he half whispered-"my mother"
/ Again the silence fell. Then the girl
spoke. =, She did not look at him. He al
most had to bend to hear the low mono
tone Of repressed feeling.
my mother: She has been dead these
three months, but II did not appreciate
her when she was alive. I was dissatis-
fed with the calm Of my quiet country
home 1 wanted the glitter and the glare
Of the city. 1 forgot that she needed me,
!, make home for her, but that did not
come first-no, my own pleasure came
= first, And when was gone she faded day
bv day. was all She had, so there was
= no one to tell me- wrote of gay times
= with new friends, and she was too loving
y to worry me with complaints. Then one
= day the word came She was very i'll;
- must go to her at once. She had beer
, dead for several hours when threw my
- self down beside her. It was too late-to@
e late to hear her dear voice whisper tina
q she had forgiven me-
S Great tears were slowly rolling down he
= cheeks There were tears in the man
eyes, too, but they sHone with the ligh
r of new resolution.
v You have shown me your heart to
n night, little girl" he said huskily, "and
n thank you. You have shown me what
d must do. I will go back to-night-a
once. I will face the shame and live i
l. down for her sake.
The girl had forgotten her own pain ii
v Joy for another. His mother would hav
,e her own again. She stood up and he'll
out her hand in goodby. She must no
IS keep him a moment; his mother wa
l. waiting. 49, z,-,. - ~ : =. -.
n .:You viii go back and be 2 man e
N her sake" she said firmly. IL - 80
IL For her sake" he. repeated, 'tand-fe
YOU" -
n, And one day her land Of dreams becam
IN reality