The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-08-23

Mill Dayton's Return

By U B. BUTLER


They stood 10 the orchard under the
old trees they loved so well. The air
was laden with the scent of the apple /
blossoms and the moonlight streamed /
down through the white-laden boughs 1
making the scene veritable paradise |
II was the old, old story being /
enacted over again for the millionth l
time The man was going away to
seek the laurel wreath and the gold
and the girl was to await his return
and then crown his success with her
heart and hand. And. as ever, the
man, full Of the excitement of the
fray and eager 10 80 and try his steel
against the great world, was hopeful,
and eager. and strong, while the girl,
with only weary days OF waiting and
inaction before her, was heartsick and
fearful
They had been so much to each
other since earliest youth that the
parting wrenched her heartstrings
The parting was hard for him. too,
for he loved her dearly, and on this
last night the memories of the tender
hours they had passed crowded upon
them both He held her tight while
her girish arms were strained about
his neck and her sweet face. with the
limpid eyes and the passionate lips,
was lifted to his.
Cant we be happier to stay right
here. Milt2" she whispered between
his kisses. "You can get that 80 acres
from simpson by paying a little down
,.Ir hon =
pay up ard get more land after
awhile"
The man laughed lightly, and some
wnat scornfully
What he cried. "And live and
die in this commonplace place and life
aud forever to save and save and
save just raise more corn TO feed
more hogs to buy more land, TO raise
more corn to feed more hogs and SO
forth and so forth and 50 forth until
they carry us TO the cemetery; and all
the time getting older and duller and
more stupid No. no, Sally, I'm going
10 aim higher I've got the strength
and health-and the brains, / reckon.
and I'm going out to try for the big
things Somebody's going TO get
them. and / want to take chance.
And I'll win, Sally; ! feel fl in my
bones. Ill win. And then I'll come
back and lay il at your feet and you
shall live like the lady you are. and /
viii live like gentleman, and we
both win get something out of life in
stead OF being common dfudges and
olods all our lives"
The girl looked into the face Of the
young fellow. flushed with excitement
dominant with confidence, eyes spark
ling with ambition and resolve, and
she pressed him tighter as she said:
Forgive me, Milt forgive me; | am
weak and selfish | know But | love
you so. and | am so afraid something
will happen 70 part us. / want you
Milt. more than want riches OIL
houses. OF ease or success. know
am wrong. but l am only a weak, in
experienced girl, you know. Go and
do what you want to and remember
always that my prayers are with YOU
and that l am always here waiting
for you-no matter what happens"
"You are the dearest and brayest
girl in the world" he exclG'med, hold
ing her close and smothering her with
kisses, "and | will try to deserve you
Then he added But l must go, The
train leaves at midnight"
The girl clung to him. Remember
Milt, whatever happens, success or de
feat. am waiting for you"
Success or defeat you are waiting
Tor me, he whispered "That i.
enough to inspire any man. But there
can be no defeat | will wrest success
from the world If hard work and per
sistence can do It,"
,"GOod-by."
"Good-Oy."
A long, straining embrace, a showe
OF burning kisses, responded to mos
eagerly and they parted, the girl t.
go home and weep the night away, th
man to sigh and forget and plungi
inro tie new world opening betor
him.
An what world it was. with it
opportunities, its yicissitudes, it
temptations, it's hopes and fears an
triumphs and falls. The same oil
world Father Adam tried to conquer
anu All OtAci Llcu 5luNtf W4lu VIA
success ye students may judge your
selves.
Milton Dayton had his full share q
all the ups and downs. His sturd
Americanism, undiluted at first by Tn
shallowness and cynicism of city if'
gave him a strength which he kne'
not OF and carried him past man
barriers and many obstacles. On tn
other hand, his ardent nature, hi
guiienessness, his unpreparedness fo
contest with the unscrupulous worlc
lines of the city led him into man
humiliating defeats. And the sad pal
OF It was that the lessons in world
ness which he learned lesseued an
weakened his great natural strengt
because as he acquired worldly VII
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