The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-01-15
nnnsyssnsyrnsysx,gaensssass
The Undying Past
].

II was here they had parted. That
summer OF 'SS-never had there been
such another summer He felt him
self senile prehistoric lnvoluntarily
his shoulders bowed. his face grew
creased with wrinkles.
II 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 murmured.
dofing a hat which disclosed no griz-
zled locks.
She granted IL with a gracious bow,
and then. as he still fingered, raised
inquiring almost protesting eyebrows.
Was she not woman? Would she
not sympathize with his pilgrimage?
He resolved TO confide in her
Il am reyisiting." he said according
IL. the scenes OF my boy hood.
Indeed said she. 1T was some
time ago?"
Twenty years" he sighed by the
calendar: By memory, yesterday"
you see" he eXpla.ned-diffuse-
ness was not one of his faiiings-" she
was my first love"
How romantic. DO you remember
her Nance
Il shall never forget it. Her name
he CROPPED in the recesses Of his
memory-"her name was Mabel
Mabel echoed the young lady, her
lip between her teeth.
1t was here"-he laid his hand
affectiOnately upon the gate-"we first
met"
ITS wet" she warned him.
He withdrew his hand hastily.
1T had just been painted. he
mentioned as a strange coincidence,
ION that unforgettable day. She had
on white frock. but | wore a red
blazer; | went TO bed without tea that
night. AT the time il struck ME as a
hardship. but now. TO feel again that
divine thrill | would gladly suffer
such martyrdom.'
Twenty years" he unused. Time
is a curious whirligig. Everything is
gone. but the old gate remains
She shook a regretful head.
ITS the third | remember; il was
only put up yesterday"
AT any rate" he cOnsOled himself
after a momentary pause Its where
the old gate used 10 stand"
The girl hesitated and glanced az a
spot some yards lower down. but being
unwilling. perhaps, 20 shatter another
illusion. held her peace.
Il feel" mentioned The young man,
as though | We're again seven
WAS it exactly twenty 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-her shrine?'
Her tomb" he corrected. my
I little sweetheart slumbers beneath the
sods OF twenty years. Her only
monument Is doubtless a stout matrOn,
| and her epitaph Mrs. Somebody And
yet | am probably her Only mOurner
Your constancy is remarkable"
1T is so easy" he murmured. "to
be constant to a memory. It's not
until ones ideal materializes that the
7 strain comes.
she may not be stout" remarked
the girl. seeking to cheer him. after
ALL twenty years"
1T was hereditary" he said. sadly
"The fear haunted me even then"
He glanced at the house.
That was her window" he indi
Gated.
oh" said the girl, "oh. reallyl"
Every morning ] would come anC
whistle beneath IL. and She would pull
the curtains on one side and smile
down at me- We would 20 out to
gether and awaken the larks to emu
lation-I taught her to cycle"
ITO cycle" half protested his listen
er; twenty years ago"
1T was early in the morning" h
reminded her. half reproachfully, amt
we saw no harm in IT, The bicycle
was much taller than we were. which
made mounting difficult and dismount
ing less difficult. perhaps, but ever
more dangerous
You were on a holiday"
"a month. How we wept at part
ing-here. at this selfsame gate. or
rather. what was the gate then.
broke a sixpence in half. I remember
for a keepsake He smiled remini
scently and glanced at mis- hand. ="
have the scar still"
And to think that you should b.
living here"
The girl eazed at him with puckere'
brows and eyes which limited at secre
amusement.
Somebody must live here" she re
marked.
We'll, yes" he admitted; one car
not expect constancy Of a house"
The remark drew a scornful smil
TO her lips.
Had you found her here you woul,
have been sorry"
you think so? You have seen her
she is much changed?'
she Is my sister said the cir
calmly.
The young man razed at the distan
trees In silence for a moment. whei
his eyes came back to her. she say
they We're full OF a strange wonder.
Her sister" he repeated, and hi
voice had taken on new tone; and
She
she has not forgotten you" sh
said gravely Her voice shook a littl
as she added. and she Is not-mal
red"
"She is His questioning glanc
travelled 10 the house.
! The girl shook her head. and he
eyes caught his as II they would rea
his most secret thoughts
She returns tomorrow. II you still
care-to meet her. you may come an
have tea with us. II not--I shall sa
nothing OF this meeting"
Thank you" he said quietly;
/ shall be here"