The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-26
have decided to so back to town by


this evenings train"
Dear, dearw exclaimed Miss Walk
er, in open dlsmay. She had not imag-
ined that things were quite so bad. and
at the moment she was flurried, and did
not know what to say. Then. after re-
garding him with faraway look OF
dismal abstraction for 4 few seconds.
she said, somewhat agitatedly: But
you really must not go away like that!
1t would not be kind TOTO me. No.
no; you must not 60 off so discourteous-
iy. There is something wrong. see it
in fact I know it. I want to think
u while-and so. I am sure. do you.
There. like a good boy, go and walk in
the garden for half an hour or SO"
And she demonstrated the imperative
nature Of her advice by gently but firm
ly showing him toward the window.
through which he passed out into the
garden in silent obedience.
The quaint old garden soothed him.
yet it aroused many tender recollec'
tions which made him all the more sor-
rowful now to harbOr. He had come
with a grim determination to merely
say au reYoir to his aunt, as duty and
inclination prompted, but not to see
Rose; or, if he could not help seeing
her. then to bid ner formal farewell.
Rose and he had differed bitterly, and.
he decided. finally. When be mentally
re-enacted the scene. as he had done Il
score of times since that angry parting.
he said to himself each time that he
had been right in every word he ut
tered, and fully justified. He said this
to himself with suspicious emphasis.
for he knew in his heart that he had
been a great deal other than right.
His thoughts gradually became moro
gentle as he walked through the old
garden. and sweet memories came to
him to chase away anger and bitter
ness. 1t was, perhaps. not quite invol-
UNFAIRLY that he turned toward the side
of the house from which Roses lattice
looked. He raised his eyes to 1t some
what wistfully. He felt convinced
somehow that she was there. behind
that lattice, but she showed no sign,
and he dared not make advances.
He sighed and turned away. Just
then he saw something white on the
grass border. STOPPING he picked 1t
up. 1t was neatly folded piece Of stiff
paper, and on opening it out he saw by
the twilight it contained writing
verse of some sort. as far rs he could
judge
Stepping aside he got into the shelter
of bush, and by the light Of couple
of vestas be with some difficulty read
the lines. They were addressed "To
John," and signed "R. W. In the bad
light the individuality of the handwrit-
ing escaped him. and his heart
throbbed with mingled happy emotions
rs the meaning dawned on him. Sub
timely Indifferent to the technical mer-
its of the verses. he thought them per-
feet In every respect. and their senti-
ments fired his heart. Dear. sweet
Rose. That was doubtless her loving
overture for peace, he said 70 himself
with rapture.
He retraced his steps to the path be-
meath her window, and gently called
her name, but when he had called her
three times she appeared at the lattice
with timid response. A few minutes,
after tender reconciliation, John Wal
ker left the garden to have Il further
and immediate interview in the draw
ing room with his lady love.
When be came into the house, sing
ing to himself and looking radiant. his
aunt. encouraging him. Immediately
and intuitively understood that all was
we'll once more. She smiled and spoke
n kindly word. Then she added sud-
denly:
"By the way. John. have just
missed 4 smail-er-piece Of writing
that was in my pocket. To be quite
candid, it was a trifiing old poem had
just copied. and think lost it when
taking out my handkerchief in the gar.
den. Do you recollect having Seen a
piece of paper on any of the paths?
At any rate, I must seek it now, as
really"
"Ry Jove. aunt-so that was yours"
exclaimed the young man with look
Of dismayed bewilderment that quick.
ly. however, turned into laugh.
We'll, I thought it was somebody
Hlse's. In fact, as such it has already
played good part and worked a little
miracle"
Dear. dear! I am so glad" said
Miss Walker. with rapid comprehen-
sion. And then she added an1iously:
But now that you know your mis-.
take"
He went up to her and kissed her.
"TEat doesn't matter ut all now.
Aunt Ruth. You have done by chance
what you would have endeavored to
do with intention, and 1 an now too
happy to say any more. Here comes
Rose. Flew York American.
The Weight of the Children.
With regard to the standard Of