Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-07

Ma l am going to look for work"
 Yes, and that's the last word we ever heard from you," said Hills.
 T went right west, straight as 8 bee line, worked as a farmland, railroad hand, anything. Got to Nebraska, and hired out on ranch. And I never moved again, once on that ranch, till last month, and then did want to see Mandy. So came back, and now wish't hadn't.''
 Well" continued Abner, brighten ing up, as the train slowed down on it's approach to the scene of the day's celebration, "I am glad to be with you, comrade, and with the other com rades. haven't worn my old button till to-day, in years He lovingly fingered the bronze treasure on his dingy brown coat. s'I believe I'll get courage to look up Mandy now, and I've got all of my savings for her. Couldn't spend any money out on that raneh!n
 While the railway train had been scudding over the rails two young peo- { pie walked across the fields, from the end of the electric road, on their way to the Decoration day exercises.
 'sLet me carry that big bunch of flow CTS" said the man to the pretty girl at his side.
 ''No, Tom,' the girl protested, keep ing her flowers in her own grasp, but smiling upon the stalwart young fel- low with a good deal of friendliness. "You have enough to do to take care of that basket of lilacs. And they are the most important White and purple lilacs seem just made for Decoration day.
 Do you come out here every 3oth of May ?" asked Toms
 sYes," answered the girl, 0and this time I am so glad you are with me. Before. have come alone"
 'sI can guess why you come" said Tom, edging as near to his companion as the peace and dignity of the state and of the young lady herself-al- lowed. .
 T don't know whether father is lv- ing or dead,' said Mandy, "but it is because of him that bring flowers out here every Decoration day. I make it = a point to put flowers on the graves of the unknown dead, or those with no stone to mark them"
 Her eyes filled with tears and she turned her head away from Tom.
 q shall always be with you, after this,' said Tom. quietly and earnestly. "And who knows but that your father may be with us, too, another year! Don't cry, am in hopes that you will see him again, one of these days
 sIf he should come, Tom, and we should be in our own little home, would you be good to him?"
 q will, Mandy, you may be sure of that" said Tom, with seriousness that was convincing.
 Just as the young couple reached the foot of the mound on the little hill by the soldiers monument, they heard fthe throb of drums. They drew aside and stood under the shade of an elm, to see the veterans march by.
 ssThere's father said Tom, as his eye encountered, from a distance, that of Asher Hills. And then, at a warn ing gesture from the elder Hills, Tom guided the girl who was with him, as she still watched the little procession, toward the screen made by a c1ump of 1i1acs and snowballs near little foot path which led away from the crowd surrounding the monument, where the formal exercises swere to be held.
 ssWhat is it, Tom,' she said. sI was going to hear the singing, and the speaking"
 'sWait minute,'' whispered Tom, oo,,, fn +hor ruhosc with him?"
 Asher Hills had the stranger by the elbow, and was steering him toward the young people. At the edge of the little plot of grass where they stood, the two veterans stopped.
 'SAbner," the voice of H1IIis was low and little tense, Took at that young ster, that's my boy Tom. And the girI-"
 "Father!'' In moment 'Mandy's arms were around the wand erer'sneck, and the grass was covered with Man dy's, peonies and pansies-
 Tom gathered them up for his basket and together he and his father walked away, joining a band of veterans as they started upon their work of deco GI1lS D1I0 Ci SOlGICIS u11Ih6u T"Unknown.''
 'Abner shall stay with me- said Asher Hills, "until Mandy marries and settles down. He noted the flush on his sons cheek, and smiled. 'sWe've just got settled in our home,'' he con- tinued, "and your mothers no mover. ,Abner shall live in peace what little time there's left to him."
 And at evening the crowds were gone; the decorated graves were glow ing, unseen by mortal eyes, in the dy- ing splendors of the setting sun. The night came on. The flags and flowers held their brightness as long as there was a ray of light. And then at last the stars in their arching vault of blackness shone down upon a world iof shadowy, colorless shapes. It was night. And the glorious dead slept in peace.