Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-04-21

It was just a year ago, on Easter
Sunday, that he had asked Beth Som
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 50
long, John, and-and 1t mustn't all
first and best of all my friends. There
is no one to whom | would turn so
quickly for aid or advice, to whom
would appeal so promptly in the hour
of trouble as to you. And l would be
as true friend to you, John. More
than that l cannot promise. John,
you would not have me marry you I'M
less | love you as woman should.
1t would be unjust to you; ii would 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 any little kindnesses she might
claim as the privilege of friendship.
He had lived up to his pledge faith
fully.
But when was hope ever bound by
pledges? He had hoped. How much
he had hoped he had never confessed
to himself until this anniversary day.
Now no rnaIizad how abSolutalV i'm nos.
sble 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 eXpediuo-. which
would take him away for 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 disappointment
in love to wreck his life. He had Ions
since resolved that Beth should be
proud of him, even though she coulC
not love him.
Thinking back through the years
!
not loved Beth Even in the days o
valentines and May baskets Beth haC
always been the sole recipient of hi!
youthful admiration. Nividly there
came back to him the early Apri
days when together they had searched
woodlands and old pastures for th'
! first bit of arbutus. With what boy
ish ardor and bashfulness he haC
pressed upon her that first frail bios
som when fortune had favored him
For those were the days of mucl
learning in the meaning of flowers
and the arbutus means Il love you.
The thought of that flower brough
him back TO the present, for in all hi
| long tramp he had searched carefully
but in vain, for the first arbutus o
the year.
The last long slanting rays of tn
setting sun still fingered in the littl
opening on the brow of the hill.
breeze with the chill of eventide wa
stirring the white pine. A blue ja
screamed rarshy and followed almos
Immediately W III its hutelikC low
note. John awoKe with a start A
he did so, tiny, fragile blossom, wit
the soft pink of the wave-kissed Sc
shells, fell close by his cheek. ii
caught a Whit of its fragrant breath
II was the first arbutus!
Bewildered, he rose quickly an
turned to meet the clear eyes an
flushed face of Beth. Il thought
should find you here, John" she sale
He stopped to pick up the littl
flower at his feet. And this h
stammered.
as the first arbutus of the year!
she cried.
"And it means?" he questioned.
he cnfIlNr