The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-30
xCopyright. 1910. by Associated Liter
airy Press.)

airy Press.D
Melvin Taylor and Adesa SOFT had
1tsed next door to each other all their
7fyes. yet they had not spoken for fif-
teen years.
Adelsa, forty now, with u powdering
nf white in her brown hair. was sitting
III the old grapevine swing. swaying
Idly to and fro. Her soft eyes were
fxed on the toe of her small shoe as IL
lightly touched the green turf.
Overhead the April sky was cloud
less, around her was growing grass
and young springing flowers.
la her heart WAS a great yeari1ing
for happiness renewal of the joys
that had belonged to her girlhood:
the dreams, the ideals that were hers
before the awakening
From the other side of the dividing
lilac hedge came the fragrance Of to-
bacco and the sound of mems voices.
growing nearer.
ss,Vcnen are naturally stubborn. -
Melvin Taylor was saying in a dis
agreeable tone. If May has quar-
relied with YOU. Walter, you might as
well give her up now and be done
with it---no matter how deeply you
repent. What apologies you may offer.
hnwever you may humble yourself,
I take my assurance, she VIII not for
give you"
.Rnhhish,s retoried- Matter Stone
laughing MAY and l have had n
disagreement, but | know we shall
make II up--who knows when-perhaps
to- day. As for the rest OF women
kind. they are all like May. I do be-
lieye-sweet and forgiying only soms
= clumsy Brute Of man like you or
me"
.sisve had my experience" interrupt
ed Taylor brusqueiy. Il was engaged
to marry what | believed to be the
sweetest girl In the world. We quar-.
relied a week before our wedding day
fifteen years ago. l wrote a note beg
h cling her to forgive me"
ff1Bfr voices died away as they
j passed beyond hearing, and Adelia still
swayed to and fro In the grapevine
NOW her face WAS white.
So Melvin Taylor had made over
fnras of peaea- and she he'd never
known 1t. She. too. had written not
10 him and hidden it In their trn'
levers post office---a cup-like hollow
lin the old apple tree that grew in tn
lilac hedge.
Day after day. fifteen years ago. sh
had gone 10 the apple tree and sough
the htIiow--~but there was never let
ter; and her wedding day had com
ard gone and she had never been
i bride. Invitations had been recalled
presents returned and bridal garment
hidden from sight, while Adelia pick
Il ed up the duh threads of every day lif
and learned to meet Melvin Taylor nov
Msad then and greet him with cold lit
tie inclination of the head.
With o sudden impulse she left tn
grapevine swing and sought the oil
Apple tree. The lilac branches hs'
kTpwn unpruned until their smootl
kreen stems quite hid the cup-lik
51oilow.
: IL .4Aeiia stoea on ,iptue and thrus
II N little hand into the old letter box
4 be hollow was empty save for a few
Fad and crumpled leaves and gath
@fRg OF moss. Just as she Withdrew
YER Aand her fingers were caught in
warnk strong grasp.
With faint cry Of alarm, Adelii
tried to jerk her hand away, but II
vain.
.ssyho Is it7" demanded Melvin Tay
1orss voice from the other side of th
Il kNdge
Ss .Reaease me Mt once" commando
SAdeIia angrily
~Dhs' There was enlightenment Il
sz1stk t.,runs hut the grasp only tighteue
I IT. hold
sIf sssu have the faintest instincts O