Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-10-18
, THE FLICKER or
. "A PAST LOVE
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[Origtnal.l

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[Originall
IT wonder" said Ellen Shirley to her
sister Fanny, what has come over
papa. For several days he has been
dreaming. At times there seems to
6utter within him something OF his
faraway youth I can see 1t tn his
step. his eye, his smile, though he
smiles so seldom"
Heaven grant," replied Fanny,
changing color, that he has not been
caught by some designing woman.
How terrible to think Of a specially
manufactured mother"
Richard Shirley's married life had
been devoid of anything more than
family affection His wife was cold
woman. whom he had married for her
fortune. She had given herself, but her
fortune she had retained in her own
keeping. Vainly had their younger
daughter, Fanny, tried to shield her
father from the mothers reminders
that she held the purse strings. Rich
srd Shirley had been married, but he
had never known what it was to be
mated.
The family remained at their country
seat till after the holidays, and every
morning Mr.. Shirley took his constitu-
tional walk, usually alone. On a GER
tain morning in November after
storm, when the air was full OF ozone,
a few red leaves were clinging to the
trees and a thin coat of Ice covered
the smaller streams, he was walking
along q road. Ahead Of him he saw a
carriage that had evidently been STALL
ed or broken down When he came up
two riveried servants were examining
q broken spring, one Of them just start
ing to find blacksmith. A lady had
aliphted from the coach and was stand
ing looking on. On seeing Mr.. Shirley
she stepped forward to meet him.
I'VE meet inopportunely," she said,
extending her hand, "after 80 long q
separation"
"Separation. What separation! Are
you not mistaken in your person, mad
am?'
mo, Mr.. Shirley, am not mistaken.
l am not likely to have forgotten you.
But why stand here? Let US go to the
stone bridg yonder while my men are
looking out for the repairs"
Mr.. Shirley walked beside her, and
they sat on the stone coping OF the
bridge. Too gallant to acknowledge
that he did not recognize her, he re-
Trained from speech.
do you remember" she said, "one
evening years, many years, ago a
young girl sitting in her music room
Her piano stood against the wall, her
harp in Il recess, sheet music scattered
about. From bay window was
view Of a river, with mountains be-
vond. while between were the happy
autumn feds There was a career be
fore the girl, but love stole In to de-
oriya her Of il. The man who drew her
from il was handsome, winning, re-
fined. aristoc~atic. He, too, had de
cfs;0n 10 make. He was born to for
tune: fortune was needful to him, yer
he was without fortune. Should ne
give himself to poor girl or reserve
himself for & wealthy one?
''They sat before the window, put
not looking out. They were gazing into
each others eyes Each knew the 9th
er's problem. The man bent forward,
placing his lips near hers. His right
arm rested on the back Of the sofa
ready to fan about her waist His left
hand nearly touched hers. She must
decide whether TO accept what might
come by remaining where she was or
decline il by rising. She decided to re-
main. to give up her career for MIN.
Suddenly he arose, went to the win
dow and looked Dut.-.Ue-had decided