Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-16

uIOUe i'll tue SuHScI
When the long day was closing they
came home again, Esther with her
arms full of white blossoms Cleaned
from her aunt's garden. The new
farm hand had taken advantage OF the
holiday and was nowhere to be seen,
80 Farmer Lane put up the horses and
the others went indoors.
"I'Il be back presently, mother"
said Esther, tossing her hat on the ia
BILE and gathering up her flowers. I'm
going to the cemetery now. Lion
will come with me-"
every well, DEAR" said Mrs. Lane.
Esther whistled to the dog and walk
ed through the orchard to the pasture.
Robert Munson was leaning on the
fence, looking at the reflected lights
on the distant hills.
81 am going up on the bill, Robert.
VIII you come along and carry my
flowersY asked Esther bravely.
Certainly. Miss Esther" he said
pleasantly, and so together they cross
ed the pasture and climbed the hill to
the place where the tall white shaft
made memorial for the fallen soldier
boy. All about the base beautiful
flowers were strewn, and some one
had placed a little flag in the green
turf. Robert Munson was looking curl
ously at the inscription when Esther
gently took the flowers from his grasp
and dropped them on the ground at
his feet. Then she placed her hands
on his shoulders and looked into his
eyes.
Robert, Robertw she cried tragical-
ly. Don't you know me-won't you
ever recognize me again"
Very tenderly Robert Munson took
her cold hands in his warm ones, and
the firm pressure Of his grasp seemed
to give her wavering strength more
courage.
"Miss Esther" he said gently, whom
do you take me for? Who do you
think am"
"You are Robert Webb!" she cried
eagerly. "See-this stone was erected
for you. Your father died Of broken
heart when you were killed, and your
mother went away to live with her Sis
ter. l am here have not forgotten.
See-I have kept your picture all these
years. l have worn It always here"
She drew away her hands and pulled
a chain from her neck and opened a
round locket. The picture therein was
that of a young man, much younger
than Robert Munson, and. while there
was resemblance, 1t might have been
more in expression than In actual fea.
lures.
"You have made a great mistake.
Miss Esther" said Munson at last 81
am so sorry. l wish I knew what to
say to you. l suppose you think the
report Of Webb's death was an error
and that am he, but 1t Is not So"
He stretched out q hand to support
her wavering figure. but she leaned
for support against the white marble.
II have seen service in the Philippines,
and did know Bob Webb for short
time, and know he was killed. l am
sorry to have to tell you this. AS for
myself, l wanted q season in the coun-
try at hard work to recover my health.
1t Is sheer chance that came to Little
River and was directed to your ia
ther's farm. l have parents and broth
ers and sisters in Boston-ln fact, am
afraid | can prove only too well that
am not Robert Webb" He looked
down at her with infinite pity in his
fine eyes-a pity that was so akin to
something warmer that she seemed to
feel it infold her like a comforting
garment.
81 am so sorry I have annoyed you.
What must you think Of me2 You
see"- Esther broke down and sobbed
bitterly, and Robert Munson stood be-
side her with a friendly hand pressing
her shoulder. 1t was with his hand.
kerchief that Esther wiped away her
tears, while he knelt down and deftly
strewed the flowers she had brought
about the foot Of the shaft. Then he
rose to his tall height and held out his
hand.
"Come, Miss Esther; let us go back
home again. There are light and life
beyond as we'll as here. We who are
left behind have our work to do in
the world. I'm n clumsy fellow at ex-
pressing myself, but try to look on
the bright side of things"
It was a quiet walk homo again
across the pasture and through the
orchard, and 1t proved to be many a
long day before Esther took the same
loute again. There seemed to be a
veil lifted after that day. Life was
brighter. better. and love seemed not
to be the hopeless thing she had one
time believed.
When another later day came and
another Robert told his love by the
orchard fence the swallows dipped in
the pale light, and the bats darted
from the shadows, and the song that
the whippoorwill sang seemed a paean
Of joy, and the whole world was
bathed In a rosy light that was not
the reflection from the sunset.
LIGHTNING FLASHES.