Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-10-14

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cozy sitting-room
Tonight, for the first time in her
two years of widowhood, Mrs. st.
George daid down the widows cap
which had for so long served to con-
ceal the thick auburn braids so artis-
tically coiled about the small head.
Eighteen years had passed since she
and Leonard Grover had met. They
had been lovers in that far-of time:
but he was poor then, with no whis
per in the air of the rich inheritance
to which he afterward fell heir, just
too late for it to bring happiness to
either.
She had married very young. She
was but IS now. Would Leonard
find her changed, she wondered-he
whose coming she waited here to-
night
simultaneously with the thought
came the sound of carriage wheels
and horses hoofs on the graveled
path.
She started to her feet, pressing
both hands upon her fast-beating
heart.
She was glad-oh, so glad.-that
the room was dark, when she heard
the quick, firm tread; so glad that
he could not see the quick blush,
which put her matronhood to shame,
when the door was thrown hastily
open. and three or four swift strides
brought him to her side.
"Florencew
Oh, how his voice thrilled her
half with pleasure, half with pain!
"Are you glad to see meY he ques-
toned.
She strove to answer; but her lips
quivered, and no words came.
Florence" he then said again, and
he bowed his handsome head lower,
is it too soon to speak?"
"Oh, Leonard" she answered, "can
I yet atone?"
And then the bridge Of years was
swept away, and she sobbed out her
happiness upon his shoulder
Let me see you," he said at last.
Il have not yet seen the face for
which 1 have hungered all these
years."
He struck light, then turned and
loked at her.
my darling!' he said. 'It is still
my beautiful Florence. What have 1
done to deserve this hour?"
Mamma, where are your" called
out fresh, girlish voice at this in
slant.
The next moment a girl Of scarcely
seventeen summers sprang into the
room.
This is my daughter, Leonard-my
you to one of your mothers Oldest
friends"
| The gentleman indicated looked
from one to the other-from the moth
er to the daughter-then back again.
Now he could realize the lapse of time
now he could appreciate the
changes years had wrought.
The daughter was a fair counter
part of the mothers beauty.
An uncomfortable sensation rose up
| in his breast-a dumb warning against
the inevitable-an unacknowledged
desire to retrace life's pathway and
| conquer time.
Meanwhile the girl pouted the full
red lips, as she thought her mothers
friend strangely absent; and when he
at last forced himself into few
words Of greeting. they fell upon dull,
unheeding ears.
Then she had gone. The lovers
were alone again; but he no longer
opened wide his arms, but instead
drew a chair to her side, that they
might discuss more nationally.
"You must teach Maude to love
II want first to reconcile her to my
second marriage before startling her
with its proba bility. Tell me-do you
think her like me?"
your second SELF
"Ah, am so glad! You will love
her, then, for my sake!"
To love, and to be loved! Ger easy
task set by frail woman in her blind
ness. It was Mr.. Grover who must
be Maude's companion In her daily
rides-Mr Grover who must teach
her to manage the boat-in these first
early spinrg days.
Maude looked upon her guest as her
property. She had long ago laughing
ly told him how unceremonious had
been his welcome to her, and he had
wooed and won absolution.
Sometimes Florence sighed as she
watched them together, while she sat
alone; but she gave to the sigh no
name, and thought the tribute to be
vanished years.
One day came her awakening.
Maude and Mr.. Grover had gone for