The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-12-25
"AUF WIEDERsEHl}"

The sun was just hiding ltS shlQ-
ing head behind a bank OF sior ous-
/. colored clouds, reaching far over
the towering peaks Of mountains
which closed protccting.y the little
sleepy town OF M. One long
crimson ray fingered caressingly on
the golden hair and sweet upturned
face of a girl, whose eyes we're fixed
searchingly on the youth at her
side. He gazed moodily at the
lum bling; tossing, turbulent little
stream flowing rapidly beside them,
and then, when the silence became
unbearabe, he turned quickly to
her, saying:
THAT river is symbolic Of my life
-restlessly nurrying on Its way,
never pausing in its mad rush over
the falls to the great unknown sea
beyond-ambitious searching for
that something which is its very
iire."
And so, you are-going away?"
The words were a mere whisper, and
as he slowly nodded his head the
color left the girls cheeks and lips,
and the hand she laid on his black,
rebelious curls trembied. "Yol
never thought Of these things be-
fore. Ted-you were happy and con"
tented-but now"
Now | have awakened. know
where that one thing desire most
l!es-apE. eclation!
"You-you will come back?"
Some day-yes." He could not
meet the clear blue eyes. could not
bear to see the quivering of the white
lips, for he knew there lived in his
heart the uniformed thought that
when this, grand recognition came to
pass he might choose his wife from
among the greatest Of the land, and
the loyal little country sweetheart
would be forgotten.
Time moves swiftly on. In spite Of
broken hearts and forgotten prom
sses, and Ave years later a sweet
faced women made her way slowly
through a crowded salon where were
gathered the fashionable devotees to
srt. A tiny little maiuen, with the
same big blue eyes and golden hair
clung to her hand as she walked
down the long aisles, here eyes traV-
elling quickly from picture to pic
ture, until at last she pauset, before
one which was catalogued "Auf
Wiedersehn.
"Maida!" She turned and the
years fell swiftly away as she gazed
once more into the eyes Of her chi. d.
hood sweetheart. With the impul-
sive little gesture he remembered
so well, she extended her hand. and
his face went white as ne clasped it
close in his.
You were locking at my pic
ture?" he asked after moment of
silence.
YES" she replied softly. 1T is
beautiful. l am glad you have been
so successful"
But even you did not quite un-
derstand it. No one in the wo!lt
could. No one knows what would
give to be back in that spot aae
these last five years only a dreala--
a fancy"
But you are famous now" she
answered slowly. You have found
appreciation"
Appreciation-the hollow, erarty
sanction Of the world-oncc my o5ly
thought. my ambition-but l left be-
hind me on the banks of this very
river, a jewel more priceless than
dlamonds-lert and lost forever!
But let us talk OF yourself. saw
you pass through with your-your
little one. and I fastened after YOU.
for | was hungry for-for news from
home
Her motioned her to seat TT
tie apart from the crowd, and they
moved slowly to 1t, each busy with
their own thoughts. Many curious
eyes followed them for the young
artist was noted 1or his taciturn.ty,
and it excited no little comment
when he singled this sweet-faceo
stranger from the rest.
MAZDA. tell me-" he whispered at
last, are you happy? Your face is
SO sad thought perhaps you. too.
remember the past.
And so l do" she answered gent
ly.
Remember 1t, yes he cried 5.t-
terly, but not as | do. You have
your loved ones about you; you
have so much more than l to live
for"
And do you love-Maida?" he
asked the child-he could not bring
himself to say mamma. The
bright blue eyes looked at him In
great surprise, as If the question
really needed no answer, then she
said:
"Tourse l do-and her loves me
don't you, Auntie Maida?"
,Auntie!" The word was hardly
audible, but It spoke volumes. She
is not-not your own?'
'.No-my sisters little daugt-
ter"
But I heard of your marriage to