Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-11-21
The Love Of the Violet.

peared, filling the air with their fra
slant
oh, how lovelyi" she exclaimed. Il
never saw so many before in nv life.
How Is 1T that / have lived here all nv
HE, and never discovered this place be-
lore ! Come and help me, Phil. How |
wish had basket"
lie did as she babe him, but when he
had plucked a big double handful. rose
10 ms feet and leant against the trunk
OF an old elm
I wonder if we shall ever pick violets
again, letty?" he said, looking down on
her as she knelt.
Yes, of course; how silly of YOU TO
ask. These poor things won't last a
week, and then, if YOU ike. you may hello
me gather some fresh ones.'
Il am afraid / shall not be here in a
week, Lefty"
Not here in week! Why. Phil.
where are you going-where will you
On the sea, most likely"
She looked up at him now with violet
eyes widely opened in astonishment.
AT sea? You are not ordered away
to Pr
He nodded.
L received a telegram late last night
to rejoin at once" he said Everything
IS packed, and l have only stolen the
time to say goodbye to you and Sir
Michael
oh, Phil, how dreadful; and YOU have
Kept 1t till now. Why did not YOU tell
me at once?"
Wen, was vain enough to think that
perhaps you would miss me bit. As it
IS, we have had pleasant hour with the
howers-much better than talking about
what may happen out there"
Oh, but, Phil, don't want you to 90. =
Lefty cried, dropping the gathered flow
ers IN her excitement. so many are
wounded or get that horrid fever. Can't
you get off going resign or something
of that sort?'
He laughed as he stopped TO pick up
the dropped violets.
My dear, all our fellows are wild to
co. he said. Il would not miss my
chance for anything. All the same, it's
very pleasant to hear you say that you
will miss me-"
Miss you! I always do that Phil.
There is no one here but Dad, and | have
always a good time when you are at
Radcliffe. But what is all that to think
ing that you may be shot?"
She looked so sweetly pretty az she
stood before him, her moist ewes raised
entreatingly to his. that he could resist
the promptings of his heart no longer.
He forgot that the emotion she displayed
was only natural in one who had known
him as a playfellow and friend all her
life, lie forgot the eighteen years diff
ference in their age lie forgot all but
that he loved her, and was about to leave
her.
He took the two hands. full of the
sweetly scented violets, and raised them
to his lips
Lefty, can't go away without telling
you something. Can't you guess what
that something isl"
How can ], Phil, without your telling
me? Why are you so serious? Is it be-
cause you are going to the war?"
Yes, dear, and l can't go without tell
ing you that / love you-loye you with
ell my soul We have been great friends
ever since you can remember, have we
ACbt ~Alio lA0h i tltil uSkliiG SDIltGIHlDR
more than friendship from you Can you
love me better than brother? Can you
love me well enough to be my wife?"
Not till the last word had passed his
lips did the girl realize the position.
The thought of Philip Radcliffe as a
lover had never entered her mind. She
had never seen anyone whose voice or
glance had stirred her heart in the least.
The red blood mantled to her check
and she attempted instinctively to with
draw her hands from his clasp.
Il am afraid | am asking too much"
he said; but there is nothing for You
to be angry with me about Lefty. / love
you, dear, and must always love YOU If
| never say your face again, / must go
on loving you just the same till the day
of my death. ] was carried away Just
now by a mad hope that you might re-
turn my love, but that, l see--if ever
my dream of happiness comes true
must be a work of time, Still, you might
give me some little hope, Lefty. viii
you think over what | have said whilst
am away? They say we shall be home
again in twelve months. During that
time there will never pass a day during
which ! shall not think of you many
times will you think of me just once,
now and again"
There was pause. then the girl raised
her eyes again to his.
4 am so sorry, Phil she said; "and
will think of you very, very often. Only
/ wish you had never spoken to me as
you have Just done Please don't say
anything more. | shall look for your
coming home, but but it will be as my
old playfellow, you know. nothing
more" and again the soft blush rose to
her cheek.
''-As you will he answered. what
have said cannot be unsaid, and you
know the truth. One thing l should like
you to do, though VIII you keep Just
half dozen OF these violets Put them
somewhere where You will see them oc-
casionally. Sec, l am placing some ii
my button-ho hole They will never leave
me as long as / live"
"Oh, Phil. don't talk like that" the
girl burst out. 1T makes me feel such
a wretch. l win keep the violets, and
think of you every day, there"
The words conveyed faint gleam OF
hope, and with that he was content.
ssrTlo ,-1,, Jaop Io