The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-08-04
THE UNDYING PAST

eyes were nSeu on the little Wnlte gate.
He approached it with reverential
steps. 1t was here they had met, ii.
was here they had parted. That sum
fmer of 'SS, never had there been such
another summer. He felt himself SEN
lie, prehistoric. Involuntarily his
shoulders bowed his face grew creas-
ed with wrinkles.
1t was not until he raised his eyes
and saw himself observed by the lady
that he regained his youth.
. Though startled, he lost nothing Of
his customary grace.
Il crave your pardon" he murmur-
cd, doffing hat which disclosed no
Srizzled locks.
She granted it with gracious bow,
and then, as he still fingered raised
inquiring, almost protesting eye
brGws.
Was she not a woman-would she
not sympathize with his pilgrimage!
He resolved to confide IN her.
81 am revisiting," he said according
ly, ''the scenes of my boyhood."
Indeed" said she. 1T was some
time ago?"
Twenty years." he sighed, "by the
calendar; my memory, yesterday"
you see' he xplained-diffusene
was not one of his failings-"she was
my first love"
How romantic. Do you remember
her name?"
Il shall never forget it Her name
he groped in the recesses Of his men,
ory-"her name was Mabel
Mabel" echoed the young lady,
her lips between her teeth.
ut was here"-he laid his hand af-
fectionately upon the gate-"we first
met"
TITS wet" she warned him.
He withdrew his hand hastily.
ut had just been painted" he men
toned as a strange coincidence, ION
that unforgettable day. She had on a
white frock, but | wore red blazer;
] went to bed without tea that night.
At the time it struck me as hard
ship, but now to feel again the di-
fiuc tHiii, WOulu Siduiy ouhcI SuCh
rnartyrdom."
Twenty years." he mused. Time
is a curious whirligig. Everything is
gone, but the old gate remains"
=, She shook regretful head.
;. Its third | remember; it was put
up yesterday" go. ... D.,
"At any rate" he consoled himself,
after a momentary pause, its where
the old gate used to stand"
The girl hesitated and glanced at a
spot some yards lower down, but being
Unwilling, perhaps, to shatter another
Illusion her her peace.
Il feel" mentioned the young man,
''as though | were again seven"
WAS it exactly 20 years ago?"
"This very month";" he assured her.
"You were not then born"
She admitted the fact.
"'"And you came" she suggested ito
visit her-shrine?"
,-,."Her tomb" he corrected my lit
ale sweetheart slumbers beneath the
sods of 20, years. Her only monument
Is doubtless stout matron, and her
epitaph Mrs. Somebody And yet
am probably her only mourner.'
"Your cohstancy is remarkable"
''7-It is SO easy" he murmured, "to
he constant to a memory It's not un-
I'll ones ideal materializes, that the
strain comes ~
.. "She may not be STOUT" remarked
the girl, seeking to cheer him, After
al. 20 years. :" 49,, ,,a ,,,
at was hereditary" he said sadly
"The fear haunted me even then"
He glanced at the house.
''That was her window he indicat-
cd ';.'a' go
- "Oh," said the girl, "oh, really"
'Tvery morning | would come and
whistle beneath it, and she. world pull
the curtains on one side. and :,snaile
!. down at me We would, SO out. .togeth-
pr. and awaken the larks to emulation
II taught her to cycle"
"To cycle" half protested hts listen
or; "20 years ago!" '''''-' - .'"''
,g..sIt was early in the morning" he
/ reminded her, half responsibility; land
sws saw no harm in it.. The bicycle
Z, was much. taller than we. ,weres which
Z made mounting difficult, and .dismount-
ing less difficult, perhaps, but even
more dangerous
'You were ON holiday!"
"a month. How we wept at part
fng-here, at this self-same gate, or
rather, what was the gate then.
broke a sixpence in half, remember,
for keepsake" He smiled remin-
1s6ently and glanced at his hand. Il
have the scar still"
"And to think that you should be
living here"
The girl gased at him with rnckered