The Cairo bulletin., 1907-12-17

hol,sa and the nurse told me that
couid never marry Marie, for she was
a rich little lady, and her father Col.
Mason while | was poor and only the
gardeners son. | ran far IN the Wooo
alone that day and threw myself down
on the messy ground, and | Tear
cried, though / was past eight and al
most man.
When / went to school in the town
close by, did not see SO much Oh my
little sweetheart, for govefness
came to the big stone house to teach
Marie. But used to gather bunch
of flowers and then print a letter very
plain 50 she could read it:
ODER MARIE:
I 81 LOVE YOU.
GOOD BY RAY"
These | would mail at the post office
in the hollow tree. and Marie would
find them when she went out for
walk
One day, one sad, winters day, Mrs.
Mason died The stone house was
draped in mourning Poor little Ma
RE. how sad she was! Soon her IA
ther sent her away to stay with her
auntie and go to school, and saw no
more Of my child-love.
I Years passed and /, too. went away
to school My parents pinched ana
saved at home that | might have an
education, and with what ! was able
TO earn in vacation time, ! managed
to go through college.
Two openings were before me when
| left college. One position would
take me far away and perhaps, bring
wealth and fame; the other would
keep me home with my parents and
command fair salary. | hesitated,'
confess. but | chose the latter, and
became the principal of the village
scnool
How strange 1t seemed to be in my
old home again, to sleep in my coy
room and enjoy the simple yet ex-
cellent fare my mother prepared
NV father was still employed at
the bic stone house, for Col Mason
wished the place kept exactly as II
was when his wife died, So the lawn
was always clipped, the walks and
drives were trim, and neat, and flowers
bloomed in the gardens and conserVa
tories.
In all nv years of study had not
forgotten my little sweetheart, Marie,
though | saw her but once after she
went away to school. | often thought
of the slim. bright-eyed girl of b. and
wondered if womanhood had altered
her much. She was ever SO happy
and kind then, as we walked in the
gardens and talked of old times. But
she would not let me write TO her, for
she assured me her aunt would not
allow It. sui n Remember you just
the same" she said. land well meet
again. some day Had she forgotten
her promise?
II was during my second year at
the academy that she came home. She
had been travelling with her aunt since
she finished school, but the colonel
was not very well and had sent for
her my mother told me. How |
dreaded 10 meet herl | did not go
near the stone house when ! learned
she had come. My childhood dream
lad been very pleasant and feared
a rude awakening. What was !, to
hone for Col. Mason's daughter in
marriage? My parents were proud OF
me and the position | held, but il
would seem humble to her, an heiress.
NV only crime was poverty.
rhen pride came to my aid and
caid: "Sbe shall never vent her scorn
upon me; viii leave her alone"
How pretty she looked when ! met
her riding with her father. She flush
ed and bowed. | wondered why she
flushed. Weeks passed, but steadi
" avoided meeting her | saw her al
church. watched her fitting about
on the grounds when I passed hel
home. Occasionally she came to see
my mother. but that was always wher
I was at school.
One day as walked home from
town | met her strolling. with only hei
large English mastin for company
she was very near. I could not re
treat. | was Obliged to meet her and
answer her pleasant Good evening.
Z think you have forgotten your ol'
playmate" she said.
~Oh. no." answered, 4 could no
forget you"
Thank you. | know so Few people
here that old friends are valued
Il have been so very busy e1
p.ained. that ] have not had oppor
tuuitv 70 see yo1 since you came
Were you going somewhere
Not in particular. Prince and
"a CIT fos our constitutional