The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-07-20

one to break my solitude! Cannot they
leave me alone with my birthday
thoughts?
p. m.-Although never believed
that this birthday entry would divide
itself into two halves, like some Of the
others, nevertheless, 1t has done so.
began my diary on the riyer-l
conclude II in the bedroom tsuch a
tiny bungalow bedroom, whore my din
ner frock Is laid out ready.
The some one" who came through
the trees to break the solitude Of my
birthday thoughts was-DUlf!
The boy-ioyer, bronzed and grown
into a strong, almost stern looking
man.
Il thought | would bring your pres
ent myself this year, Della" were his
first words. as he stepped into the
punt and dropped a packet into my
lap,
In strange, inexpllcable way |
wasn't surprised to see him, 1t almost
seemed as though the water and the
wind and the birds had prepared me
Tor his coming.
"i-l-thought you had f-f-forgotten
me this year" | stammered, tearing
the string and paper of the packet.
Il told you eight years ago that ]
should never, never forget YOU" he
answered quietly, as raised the lid OF
q small cardboard box, and
There was my birthday gift!
Another gold hoart-just like the one
he had given me when | was II!
Il haze come home to give you my
heart over again. VIII you take 1t this
time, Delia?"
Then realized that there are some
men who never forget"-and thank
God for them,
But, Dolf. have changed so much
let me move into the sunlight here,
so that you can really see my face;
and remember, / powder-now,
No. no, you must hear me! have
loved some one very much, and-and
he gave me up. (Jilted me. DolfD
You will be only taking the leaylngs OF
another man; you cant want ne
DOlf, you can't want me-"
With a tender smile on his face,
Dolf took both my hands in his.
Yes, dear. | can want you, and do
want you, he answered; Il have want
ed you all these years-lonely, blazing
years, Della; and in my own way I've
been praying all the time that some
day we might be together"
a sudden feeling of resentment
rushed over me tperhaps his prayers
had been responsible for my being
loved-and leftD; but then as | saw
the great honesty OF his eyes, nothing
but thankfulness and humility re.
manned in my heart.
IF you really mean It, Dolf, IL
am ready; but 1t is n risk for a man to
pick up broken threads after eight
years." | said.
1T is no risk, because, with me. the
threads have never been dropped"
Then he bent down and kissed my
hand.
Now the second gold heart q lost
the first one years ago!) Is hanging
round my neck, and everyone knows
we are going to be married.
We have been up to the household,
and Erica has kissed and cried over us
both, and mamma is 80 happy, too.
Everyone seems happy, and-surely
IL cant be true-but is II that ! am
happy as well?
1t would be wonderful II 1t were so,
but q SIT opposite the glass as I write)
1t almost looks like It,
caught myself smiling without
knowing It, and the smile has taken
away that long line; III put Or my
white frock and-and-why, tonight
believe I can bear to wear roses
All! there is Dolf; he is calling to
me from the garden below. :.
when are you coming down. you
vain little grit"
Little l,"-girl-glrl!"
Not Clever woman"-but Just vain
little girl"
At last have come back to my heri-
tage. am 25-but some one has
called me girl"
1t is very dear to be loved, and my
is great.
Please God, the future will be all