The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1905-09-08
In the Later
Years
By Analusia Barnard
Copyright. 1905. by Analusia Barnard

The boy and the girl met in Sunday
school. She was six-rather old for
her years; he was twelve.
They were selected to speak a
piece" together. funny little thing in
which she held her hands behind her
while he guessed what she held. He
repeatedly failed to guess. Then she
would urge him to guess again Final
ly, losing all patience. she would cry.
''Oh, you great, big, stupid boy-I've
just got kiss for YOU" Then. throw
ing him a sugary cake, she would run
off
Soon after the dialogue episode his
mother sent her an invitation to the
boys birthday party. Filled with
pride, she exhibited the tiny note. with
its pictures of birds at the top
At the party she had splendid
time. First, each Of the little girls
was given a pair of ribbon reins with
which she must catch a horse and trOt
him past the grand stand, where the
judges sat smilingly in armchairs. The
girl caught her great. big. stupid
boy" and was happy
After that man in a long black
robe did wonderful tricks and the chill
dren's eyes grew wide with wonder
Then. such supper-bouiIlon and
turkey and chicken salad. each in
turn. Ike real srownUps. And olives,
WHAT'S them things:" asked the
boy. when he discovered the olives
Look like pecanS''
oh. you great. big. stupid boy, don't
you know olives" the girl retorted
sco;.1fiilly.
Yes. but l wanted to see if you did,
grille" he answered.
The little girl turned and looked at
him. Why do you call me that?'' she
asked.
why do you call me stupid boy?' "
he returned.
Because that piece said So she re
piled. her blue eyes smiling into his.
Don't you like it,
II don't Lhind-frOm YOU" he said
But you haven't told me why You
call me grille" persisted the girl.
well. because-because l like you.
| and that's what Uncle Jack calls Miss
II.
you grille when folks are round. but
when we're alone I will call you sweet
heart"
Sweetheart" the little girl muir
INJURED. Papa calls mamma that
sometimes. Sounds pretty, don't it7
He must love her lots. Does he:"
NO more than 1 love you" he as
| serted proudly. playing with her curls.
Her hair isn't half as pretty and she
hasn't got such big blue eyes. Mamma
| says you look like an angel. so there
he blurted out. half ashamed of having
| voiced his admiration.
Il don't want to be an angel" she
] retorted decisively. But after she got
home she decided that she liked the
| boy better than ever.
The children were friends fO- two
/ years. Then business reverSes came to
| Mr. Hurlburt, the little girls father.
| and they went abroad to live.
You'll always be my sweetheart.
| grille" the boy said to his little girl
| friend when she left And I'm going
| to marry you when grow up. Don't
| forget me-"
And she. understanding little OF his
| meaning, said, Il won't" Then she
| lifted her face for his farewell kiss.
| And the boy remembered. and his
mother encouraged the thought of
| grille She knew that the memory
| of the child's sweetness and Innocence
was good for her boy.
| The drawing rooms Of Mrs. Apple
| tons handsome home were thronged
| with guests. Two men stood talking,
| apart from the others. Their eyes
| were on the slender. graceful figure Of
| Il girl on the opposite side of the room.
Il am sure know her or have known
her." Robert Worthington was saying.
Il wish she would turn around"
| Il believe she Is some one whom
| Grace met abroad" Jack Appleton re-
turned. Her name is Hurlburt. Come,
| I'll present you" And without wait
| ing for his friends reply, he started
forward and Werthington found him
self being introduced to Miss Hurlburt.
| Il think 1 used to know Miss Hurl
burt long, long ago, before she was
| quite grown up," he said, looking at
her frankly. He had held her in his
thoughts so long that the meeting did
| not seem strange to him, but to her
his smile was like the perfume from
far off f1owery fields which she had
passed through sometimes, but could
| not remember where nor when.
| II think Then, with a rush of
memory, it all came to her. ''Oh, you
/ are the boy 1 used to play with be-
fore we went to Europe to live. I'm
SO glad you remember me. but it's
strange. How could ycu?''
| Il was old enough to be impression
able. suppose" he said, still looking
at her. II have always thought of you