The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1909-05-20
THE
MOONS
GIFT.


on the steps enjoying the early spring
twilight. The maze Of maple tops
seemed to have caught the crescent Of
the young moon. 1t was bright as r
bit of new silver, and a childish desire
to wish by it came to Classy.
Il wish he'd come back" she said.
The words came suddenly and they
set astir a host Of memories she had
been wont to fight against. Why
should he come back, and why should
she want him to come after he had
done as he had? And yet-and yet,
after 20 years, her heart was still full
of him.
1t all came back to her now, not so
much in facts as in feeling IL had all
happened in the spring. There was the
day she bought her wedding dress and
that other when it came home and she
tried it on for the last time before
wearing it, and afterward a great
furry until that last evening. She had
dressed early and most of the guests
were there. Everybody was laughing
and talking and expecting the tardy
old minister. Suddenly Gordon bent
over her.
IF you don't mind, Cass, I'll just
step out for a five-minute walk. II
don't feel we'll and the air may do me
good"
Then came the old minister, but
Gordon did not return. They waited
for him, they searched for him. Had
something terrible befallen him? But
Classy, clamest Of them all, went toher
loom and took off her wedding dress.
Tell them to go home" she said.
Hell never come back. l might have
Known might have known"
There was little sleep among the
guests that night, but if Classy did
not sleep no one knew about it, Next
day she cleared the house of its we'd
ding show and from that time she nev-
er mentioned her lovers name.
She was young and proud and she
came of a race that had always kept
its feelings in check She managed to
keep her looks. She was 40 now and
there was not a gray thread in her
hair or a worried line on her face
Only her eyes tod that she had not
J always known peace and happiness
: Her parents died and left her fairly
we'll off. She was charitably minded
and her townsfolk thought much Of
her. And every one thought che hac
forgotten and was happy
: But she was net happy. and she had
net forgotten. There was something
in spring twilight that brought i
back to her and made her think of the
wedding dress upstairs, vain, yellowet
thing which che had hrid
whom no bridegroom claimed.
The still little white neon looked
at her and promised nothing. After all
Why should it? 1t was as foolish
wish as had ever been made to her
. There was a sudden patter of feet
it was Cassy's protector and hes
friend. the old white bulldog. which
she had taken in from the street,
starving. MANNED puppy. He thrust hi
nose against her cheek and sat dow
on the steps beside her his croppe,
ears a-cock to catch every sound
But the street was almost as still
as if it were under enchantment. Onl
, one person was moving in it-a dar,
indistingUishable figure, which, as
, came nearer. proved to be man. Cas-
, sy did not notice him. but the dog die
I and when the man paused uncertain
n ly at the gate and then turned in, h
sprsng up with a premonitory grow
I Classy caught him by the collar an
!, spoke.
rs that you, Mr. Stearns." Sh
@ thought the man one of her neighbors
:. but the dog knew better. The ma
It stopped almost tim!dly at the sound c
G her voice.
J. Mono. it isn't" he stammered.
y Classy clrng to the dog. Then VIII
is it? My dog doesn't like strangers.
d She shook the dog "Wil you b
e quiet, lack? Or shall / have to Gu
/ youl eaTs?' 1t was an. effective threa
o The dog. shamed and humble, sa
q down again and the man advanced.
Il knew your voice the moment yo
a spoke" he said. unsteadily Classy, it
! Gordoni"
I, The shawl which had covered Ca!
q sy's shoulders slipped away and fe
= about her feet as she stood up tall an
straight, with a face that gleame
white in the twilight. We'll" she sale
: $50 you've come back? Did you los
your way, and has 1t taken you 2
years to find IT."
The man shivered.. Il don't blanl,
you for saying that he muttercd.
Well. l blame myself" Classy said
quickly. Get np, Zack,1 she pushed
< The dog aside. Come and sit down
hero, oprdon. she said
" =