The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-12-03

TO the core, and I could never under
,tand'- He paused and looked at her
strangely, wistfully.
"What?" asked Mildred warmly.
She suspected a romance in the past
If sweet Aunt Lily.
81 am a simple sailorman, Miss
Lane, and l confess to not understand
The ways Of women. l was ieuten-
ant in the navy when 1 met Lily Wes-
:on and fell in love with her. We be-
came engaged and were to be mar
lied This green gown brought to her
from China, and she wore 1t several
lines while I was on leave. We had
1 foolish quarrel one night, my last
night ashore. 1t was a matter of
Irifling jealousy on my part, and be-
fore the evening was over 1 had seen
my folly. 1 wrote on programme
that I was repentant and asked her to
meet me in a certain coy nook on the
stairs" He paused and sighed.
"AndY' suggested Mildred.
"She was surrounded by admirers,
and as 1 had no other opportunity I
dipped the programme into her hand
rs we passed each other while dane
hg."
"And then?'
''She never came. waited until
after midnight, and then when I had
seen her depart with her friends I left.
have never seen her since" Captain
Gray's voice shook a little as he con-
GUIDED his story.
"How utterly ridiculousw exclaimed
Mildred. "Why, it seems to me if you
truly loved each other you would not
have quarreled, and yet you have
never forgotten Aunt LII, and She
why, it is your picture that is on her
dressing table-a young officer in a
cap and uniform
"You are sureT' 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
lmpulsively, holding out her hand.
"Thank you, WILL" he said resolute
~.
When she reached home Mildred
few straight to her aunt's chamber.
where Miss Weston sat reading and
awaiting the girls return.
"Aunt Lily" cried Mildred excited
ly, shave 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. "I-believe so, DEAR" she said at
last, 'ebut please do not ask to see it!'
'I must, auntie. Please show 1t to
me-"
Without a word Miss Weston opened
small sandalwood box on her dress
Ing table, and from it 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 It, Aunt Lily, and see If
there is not message written on it
a plea for forgiveness by some one you
cared for long ago." Mildred's voice
quivered with excitement.
Miss Lily read and grew white.
what is it?'' she stammered pitifully
II 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 miserable
mistake-she had never read the mes
sage penciled on the programme, and
she had grieved all the years.
"He Is coming tomorrow, Aunt Lily, y
whispered Mildred, and then she tip
toed away, radiant In the knowledge
that her aunt had at last attained the
happiness that had lain 80 long within
her reach, quite unexpected.
''It is all due to the green gown =
whispered Captain Gray 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. IT think 1t was due to, the
green gown that I really knew" he
murmured tenderly.