Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-03

008
10 the core. and could never under.
stand He paused and looked at her
strangely, wistfully.
WHAT? asked Mildred warmly
OF sweet Aunt Lily.
IL am a simple sailorman. Miss
Lane. and l confess TO not understand
the ways OF women. | was n lieuten-
ant In the navy when l met Lily Wes-
ton and fell In love with her We be-
came engaged and were to be mar
ried. This green gown brought to her
from China, and she wore 1t several
times while l was on leave. We had
foolish quarrel one night. my last
night ashore 1t was matter Of
trifiing jealousy on my part. and be
fore the evening was over i had seen
my folly. / wrote on a programme
that was repentant and asked her to
meet me In a certain coy nook on the
stairs" He paused and sighed.
"AndT suggested Mildred.
and as l had no other opportunity I
slipped the programme into her hand
as we passed each other while dane
ing"
~And thenY~
"She never came. / waited until
after midnight, and then when l had
seen her depart with her friends left.
n Aax or In
Gray's voice shook little as he con-
Guided his story.
"How utterly ridiculousp exclaimed
Mildred. "Why. 1t seems to me II you
truly loved each other you would not
have quarreled, and yet you have
never forgotten Aunt LII, and She
why, II Is your picture that is on her
dressing table-a Young officer in
cap and uniforms"
"You are sureY' The captain bent
over her eagerly.
Positive. Come and see us tomor-
row. Captain Gray. lam sure she
will be glad to see you" cried Mildred
impulsively, holding out her hand.
Thank you, WILL" he said resolute-
~.
When she reached home Mildred
few straight TO her auncs chamber.
where Miss Weston sat reading and
awaiting the girls return.
Aunt Lily" cried Mildred excited
iy, "have you kept the ball programme
you had the last night you wore this
gown"
Miss Weston stared a moment. and
then her eyes grew said and RETROSPECT
tive. 'T-believe So dear" she said at
last, but please do not ask 10 see it!'
"I must. auntie. Please show It 20
me-"
without word Miss Weston opened
a small sandalwood box on her dress
ing table. and from 1t she took vel
lowed lace handkerchief, a withered
bunch Of roses. little green and gold
fan and lastly a dance card, crumpled
and faded.
"Here," she said, holding it out IN
her hand
Look at 1t, Aunt Lily, and see II
there is not a message written on tt
plea for forgiveness by some one you
cared for long ago" Mfldred's voice
quivered with excitement
Miss Lily read and grew white.
What Is IT." she stammered pitifulfy.
IT don't understand"
Mildred took her In her loving young
arms and told the story. and then and
there Lily Weston laid bare her heart
to the girl. 1t had been a miserable
mfstalke-she had never read the mes
sage penciled on the programme, and
she had grieved all the years.
"He is coming tomorrow, Aunt Lily"
whispered Mildred. and then she tip
toed away radiant in the knowledge
that her aunt had at last attained the
happiness that had lain so long. within
her reach, quite unexpected.
"It is all due to the green gown"
whispered Captain Cray to his long
lost sweetheart when he came the next
day
Down In the garden Lester Stearns
was repeating his words OF love to
Mildred 'T think IL was due to the
green gown that really knew" he
murmured tenderly.