The Van Buren press., 1903-07-18

last month, and then did want to see
Mandy. So | came back, and now |
wish't hadn't"
"Wen," continued Abner, brighten
ing up, as the train slowed Gown on its
approach 20 the scene Of the days
celebration, 81 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. 81 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
ranch!"
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.
LET me carry that big bunch Of flow
ers," 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,
"lou have enough to do 10 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 30th
OF May" asked Tom.
"Yes,' answered the girl, "and this
time ! am so glad you are with me.
Before, have come alone
81 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 Eerself-al-
lowed.
81 don't know whether father Is liv-
ing or dead" said Mandy "bu, it is
because of him that ! bring flowers out
here every Decoration day. ! make it
a point to put flowers on the graves Of
the unknown dead, or those with no
stone to mark them
Her eyes filed with tears and she
turned her head away from Tom.
81 shall always be with you, after
this" said Tom, quietly and earnestly
"And who knows but that your father
may be with MS, too, another year!
Don't cry, am in hopes that you will
see him again, one Of these days"
The girl frightened Hope shoue In
her face as it turned toward Tom
"If he should come, Tom, and we
should be In our own little home, would
you be good 70 him2'
81 will, Mandy, you may be sure of
that" said Tom, with a seriousness
that was convincing.
As they neared the cemetery gates
the two became thoughtful and reyer-
ent, The roads that led 10 il were
black with people, All men, women
and children were carrying flowers
The lovers entered the gate in silence
just 0s the young couple reached the
foot Of the mound on the little hill by
the soldiers monument, they heard
the throb Of drums, They drew aside
and stood under the shade Of an elm, to
see the veterans march by,
There's father" said Tom, as his
eye encountered, from distance, that
Of Asher Hills. And then, al warn.
ing gesture from the elder Hills, Tom
guided the girl who was with him, MS
she still watched the little procession,
toward the screen made by clump Of
lilacs and snowballs, near little foot.
path which led away from the crowd
surrounding the monument whore the
formal exercises were TO be held,
"Wha, is II, Tom she sGid 81 was
going 10 hear the singing, and the
speaking"
"WGit minute" whispered Tom,
"hcre comes father, and who's that
with him2"
Asher Hills had the stranger b, the
elbow, and was steering him toward
the young people, As the edge Of the
little plo, Of gra's where they stood,
the two veterans stopped
Nhuer" the voice Of Hills was low
and little tense, "look at that young.
s,er that's my boy Tom, And the
girl"
"Fatberl" In moment Mandy's
arms were around the wanderers neck,
and the gr0ss was covered with Man.
dy's poonics and pansles,
Tom gathered them up for hif basket
and together he and Bis father walked
away, joining band Of veterans as
they started upon their work Of deco.
rating the graves Of soldiers marked
unknown"
"Abuer shall stay with me-" said
Asher llillie, until Mandy marrIes
and settles down" lie noted the Flush
on his sons cheek, and smiled We've
Just got settled in our home he con,
tlnued, "Nnd your mothers no mover,
Abner shall live In peace what little
time there's left 60 him"
And ht evening the crowds were
gone, The decorated graves were glow.
ing, unseen by mortal eyes, In the dy.
ing splcndors Of the setting sun, The
night came on, The flags and flowers
held their brightness m long m there
wat u ray Of light And then at last
the stars In their Orching vault Of
blackhess shone down upon a world
Of shodowy, colorlcss shapes II was
night And the glorious dead slept In
peace,
lldthtehild says we need not feel
alarmed about our American prosper.
ity, which In more important ihtelli.
l.DDuD LLuu nuA Mind A,uEln Irunl 1 M