The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-04-22

Il was just . year ago, On Easter
ers to be his wife, and she mad re-
fused. He could see now the pain
in the clear hazel eyes as she hushed
his passionate pleadings. Don't, John,
don't!" she had begged. Don't you
see how hard it is for me? We
have been such good friends for SO
long, John, and-and it mustn't all
end now. John, I hold you as the
first and best of all my friends. There
is no one to whom / would turn so
quickly for aid Or advice, to whom I
would appeal sc promptly in the hour
of trouble as to Tou. And l would be
as true a friend to you, John. More
than that I cannot promise. John,
you would not have me marry you I'M
less / love you as a woman should.
1t would be unjust to you; it Woul be
unjust to myself. So let us be just
the good chums we have always been,
the better for the new understanding
We have Of each other"
So they had made their agreement,
he promising not to build false hopes
on n little kindnesses she might
claim as the privilege Of friendship.
He had lived up to his pledge faith
fully.
But when vas hope ever bound by
pledges? He had hoped. How much
he had hoped he had never confessed
to himself until this anniversary day.
Now he realized how absolutely impos-
sible it was to go on SO, indefinitely.
In the long tramp he had fought it all
over again and again, till his mind
was made up.
He had an invitation to join a gov
eminent scientific expeditlO1, which
would take him away for a year, per-
haps more. He would accept and in
the pursuit of his studies he would
have less time to think of the ache
in his heart. John Ainsworth was not
of the stuff to allow a disappointment
in love to wreck his life. He had long
since resolved hat Beth should be
proud Of him, even though she could
not love him.
Thinking back through the years,
John could not remember when he had
not loved Beth. Even in the days of
valentines and May baskets Beth had
always been the sole recIp eat Of his
youthful admiration. Nividly there
came back to MIN the early April
days when together they had searched
woodlands and old pastures for the
first bit Of arbutus. With what boy
ish ardor and bashfu1ness he had
pressed upon her that first frail bios
som when fortune had favored him!
I.~r {looo u-o~o tho dove IF p,,ch
learning in the meaning Of flowers,
and the arbutus e Il love you"
| The thought Of that flower brought
him back to the present, for il all his
long tramp he had searched carefully,
but in vain, for the first arbutus Of
the year.
The last long slanting rays Of the
setting sun still fingered in the little
opening on the brow Of the hill. A
breeze with the chill Of eventide was
stirring the white pine. A blue-jay
screamed arsh y and follow d almost
immediately W tn its futelikc love
note. John awoKe with a start. AS
he did so, a tiny, fragile blossom, with
the soft pink Of the wave-kissed sea
shells, fell close by his cheek. He
caught a Whit OF its fragrant breath.
1t was the first arbutus!
Bewildered, he rose quickly and
turned to meet the clear eye and
flushed face of Beth. Il thought l
should find you here, john" she said.
He stopped to pick up the little
flower at his feet. And this he
stammered.
SIS the first arbutus of the year!"
she cried.
"And it means?" he questioned.
81 love you,' she said, softly.