The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1908-12-26


clared Aunt Tillie, as she hastily car.
ried pail of cold water to battle the
face OF Mars Harry"
A young civil engineer, with all the
enthusiasm and ambition Of youth. he
had entered his profession, only to find
that plunge from college into the
woods AMI swamps was a change too
great for even his strong constitution
TO stand. To recuperate from the fever
which followed he went to his aunts,
where he knew hearty welcome and
the quiet of secluded village awaited
him. Now, as he lay in the white.
clean room and looked with conscious
eyes, for the first time in many days,
into the dimpled face of the little
nurse, whose gentle fingers soothed
his still throbbing head, he was glad
he came; glad he had fever; glad of
anything that kept her near him.
Il am so thankful you are better"
Eleanor said; here comes Auntie with
your broth. The doctor says you are
out of danger now"
The lilacs had withered and gone
and the early roses were scattering
their leaves in tinted flakes over the
grass, before he was strong enough TO
walk about the grounds and sit beneath
the arbor and listen to the music OF
Eleanor's voice, as she read to him
Then he was suddenly recalled to his
home. back to his interrupted work.
Eleanor was away when he left
When Mrs. Graham laid in her hand
his note Of farewell, feeling Of unut
terable loneliness crept into her soul.
She let Mrs. Graham turn her pale
face up to her own and gaze deep into
her eyes. Without word Eleanor
kissed her, and turning, walked down
the path between the lilac bushes and
down the quiet street.
The summer slipped into autumn;
then the cold breath Of winter held in
check the impulsive spring.
A new sweetness, womanly lowell.
ness. added new charm to Eleanor
That farewell note she kept; no eyes
but hers ever beheld the missive. All
his letters she kept; letters telling of
his perfect health, his ambitions, Of
his memory of beautiful summer
gone by, of his gratitude TO her, and
his love for his aunt.
Eleanor reproached herself for the
aching voN his letters left in her
heart. Was he not kind to remember
her, to be grateful for the little she
had done to help him master his i'll.
ness?
AS she approached the cottage one
morning her thoughts were far away
II was just one year ago that she came
that glorious morning to gather q
bunch of llacs. She was living over
again the anxious hours OF his Illness
the happy hours cf his recovery. when
like wave fraught with recollections
delicious fragrance swept over her
Lllacs! Yes, they were again In bloom
the white ones nodding to the purple
ones in the slow moving breeze.
Eleanor took a bloom from the low
est branch and pressed It against hei
cheek as she thoughtfully walked VI
the well-known path between the over
hanging foliage.
Eleanor"
Harry Graham, bronzed by wind ant
= sun, stood in her path.
Eleanor | have waited so long
speak, darling; tell me-tell me, dea
} heart, that have not waited In vain
/ tell me you love me, for. dearest. low
2 you So"
For a moment she stood looking a
him. as one looks at happiness bu
| once In lifetime; then over her fac
Q swept change-the letters so frienC
b ly. only friendly.
"Why-did-you-wait?" she hes
S tatingly asked.
Il "Ah, Eleanor, the waiting has bee
n hard ! promised Aunt Emmie; sh
guessed my secret. | promised her
s wait one year She thought you to
young to know your own heart. To m
d aunt | owe everything. / promised
n would not by word or letter try to wi
your loye-lt was mad promise! Ho
@ longed to know II you cared for m
D. Eleanor, sweetheart, tell me-"
He stood close to her. She droppe
Is her eyes to hide the tell-tale light
love. Taking her hand, that held Il
10 spray of lilac, he clasped 1t In h
d own.
o 1.-THE year has passed. To-day n
e life is either made happy or RUNE
u The lilacs, darling-it was on throi
- nj ulacs- that ! first saw you. Am |
le remember the blossoms always wi
a pain or joy?"
ID IL thought" she whispered, the
Or laos would never bloom for me aga
20 as they bloomed before. ! thought
IS Eleanor! you love me-you-y'
m ah. my darling, my own"
9. In his arms he held her close, cruf
Oh ing the white spray until Its fragran
covered them like an incense.
IN spoonlng by Wire.
q II m. 4 ~.