The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-07-27
And even Dolf (the boy-lover We
has faithfully remembered my BIRTH
days all these years. forgets me now

days all these years. forgets me now
Toaday is the first time ssi1ce we
said good by % my seYent SAINT birth
lsday that no git has arrived from the
blazing east ~ Sc .s 81 -
expect / shall hear by the next
mail that he has taken unto himself q
wife some young fresh-skinned thing
sent straight over from home in order
to test the Ang1o-Indlan marriage mar
ket before she runs the gamut of ex-
persive London seasons. -
Poor Dolf! He was full of alt "a:
boys passionate fidelity. >..-s-. =.
Il shall never, never forget you or
leave OF loving you all my life!!'' =1 z. Z
Sometimes can hear those words as
he said them that wonderful June l.
just eight years ago., when was full
of girlhood's arrogance. 49,.
Perhaps then-oh! here comes some
one to break my solitude! Cannot they
leave me alone with my birthday
thoughts? ',r s's5 =. 4. '''ss<,.:7&>s
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.
I began my diary on the river-1
conclude It In the bedroom (such q
tiny bungalow bedroom, where my din
ner frock is laid out ready. 49,.
The ''some one" who came through
the trees to break the solitude of my
birthday thoughts was-Dolf!
The boy-lover, bronzed and grown
into a strong, almost stern looking,
man.
Il thought I would bring your pres
ent myself this year, Delia,' were his
first words, as he stepped Into the
punt and dropped a packet into my
lap.
In strange, inexplicable way
wasn't surprised to see him; 1t almost
seemed as though the water and the
wind and the birds had prepared me
for his coming. ,..> .. -. ;. j
"EI-thought you had f-f-forgotten-
me this year, stammered, tearing
the string and paper off the packet.
Il told you eight years ago that l
should never, never forget you," he
answered quietly, as raised the lid of
a small cardboard box, and
There was my birthday gift!
Another gold heart-just like the one
he had given me when was II!
Il have come home to give you my
heart over again. Will you take it this
time, Delia?"
Then I 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, I powder-now! :.
No, no, you must hear me! have
loved some one very much, and-and
he gave me up. (Jilted me-, Dolf)
You will be only taking the leavings OF
another man; you can't want me
Dolf, you can't want mel" 49,
With tender smile on his face,
Dolf took both my hands in his.
Yes dear, I 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 (perhaps 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. $3.50 -:.>;;,::.-
IF you really mean it, Dolf. IL
am ready; but it is a risk for man to
pick up broken threads after eight
years. I said: ..........
;. 1T Is no risk because, with me, the
+ threads have never been dropped -
I Thep he bent down. and, kissed my
: Now the second gold heart II lost
the first one years agoD is hanging
round my neck, and everyone knows
We are going to be married. :
We have been up to the houseboat.
and Erica has kissed and cried over US
both, and mamma is so happy, too. i.
Everyone seems happy, and-surely
it can't be true---but is it that am
happy as wel1?' s ~ ILL., = =
It would be wonderful If IL were so,
but Il sit'opposite the glass as / :write)
it almost looks like It. -. .@z Fl 2=t ~
| l caught myself smiling without
knowing It,, and the smile has taken
away that long line; II, put on my
white frock and-and-why, tonight
believe ! can bear to wear roses!
All! there is Doll; he Is calling to
me- from the garden below. {.
when are you coming down, you
vain little girl!' ~ :: ~ ::=$
Little girl" grip = 800
Not 'sclever woman Just vain
little girl!'' 1%<a'< s,.~'se 81 ~ - &
>, Atlast have come back to my heri-
tage. I am. 25-but some one has
called me girl" ..>...::+ i ~ -
It's very dear to be loved, and my
thahkfulness is great. CT. ,.1 Hill
/ Please God, the future will be all
right think it will! s55s=.-.z : B: !: