La Junta tribune., 1903-04-11

one SAT IN tHo p8FWs
he began to cry. At which Lola rIn
TO him. and putting her arns around
him in a motherly way. attempted to
sooth him.
do not cry. little one, you belong
to me. The moon hare brought you
to me for a companion. You will see
how happy l can make you. Come.
we will go to breakfast and then We
will play"
Threats, entreaties and caresses
failed to unlock the lips Of the little
man. but after he had gorged himself
with hot coffee and cakes, his. reserve
thawed long enough to enable his
hosts to learn that his name was
"Bertie," that he had run away from
home because nobody loved him. that
his stepmother beat him and he hated
her. He concluded his little history
by putting his arms around the de-
lighted Lola's neck and offering his
lips for q kiss.
The childs parents were quickly
found in the neighbOring village. but
at the earnest entreaties Of Lola. he
was permitted to remain with her for
q short visit. which heightened into
several months. during (which time
the two became boy and girl lovers.
Bertie's father, obliged to depart for
q distant part Of the country. separat-
ed the heart-broken children. Lola.
particularly, refusing to be comforted.
Il will bring Berthe to you next
summer" said his father. and with
that hope she dried her tears. Years
elapsed, however. before the two met
again. Lola cherishing the memory
Of her moon hare gift, and Bertie
never forgetting his little blue-eyed.
blonde playmate. Many Easter ewes
came and went. and each OF them
hoped the moon hare would bring
them together, but he apparently
neglected them. Lola's grand PR
ents were laid away In the cif9ch-
yard, and the little girl. now grown to
womanhood. was left alone to battle
with the world. BERTHE. too. was
alone. but somehow they never met.
though each had visited the old home
in the hope OF once more meeting.
However, neither could md . trace
Of the other.
Youthful Impressions are generally
blotted out in less than twenty years.
but in this case the memory Of Lola
and Berthe was fresh and green. They
had met with hardships. hers all the
harder to bear because she was .
woman, until II came about for the
twentieth time after the moon hare
had given Lola . cherished compan-
ion, that he made preparations to de-
light her again.
On q bright afternoon Of . certain
Easter eve. . beautiful young girl.
perhaps young lady" would be . bet
ter term to apply to her. sat in
sheltered nook in the city park. anus
ing . bevy Of little girls not more
than seven yeass a age. Just behind
her, separated b. . thin screen Of
evergreen hedge. sat young nan. i
smiling a. he listened To the chatter.
did the Easter rabbit ever bring
ron anything. Loaar questioned one
Of the little ones who had been grave
" listening to the folk lore told By
her older companiOu.
-Yes. once he brought ne ~
hearts desire"
Tell us all about It. Lola" and
the young mo10euo CtapPoo tneu
hands and eathefed close around her.
There 10 nbt much TO ten" sid
Lola. II was . little orphan and
lived With my dear grand parents
near . small village. vas just youf
aec, baby Clara. six years. and ! had
never had . companion to play with.
auA I wanted one % badly"
Unperee1ved BY any o( them. the
young nan On tie other side of the
hedge tufssl around to look and liz
ten. The name a Lola" had attract
- his attsntSon anA Tie beginning Il
he circaDstancss of tAs story sssD-
- fnn11laF.
-ono Easter aigAt veat b -
lsanonDeee olNuonn11n - Dgne
~ 90 - v11eo Dooa hase WoaDd