Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-01-27

lTuuK OF h QuSe maple Tree. nv PeA-
ticular thought came to her mind, but
some strange, cold gloom settled over
her heart. LEARN looked at her very
intently
The sunset had faded away, leaving
the sky a blue, shadowy expanse,
where stars twinkled family. The
moon was rising above the pines and
shone upon the Lac d'Amour with
glorious light.
Helen, 1t is because you love me-"
Lejarn said softly and convincingly.
The tears coursed freely down Helen's
cheeks.
Helen. love you. I've dared to,
although you are a Yankee girl" he
smiled, "but l cannot claim you-you
would not marry poor Frenchman,
would your"
Helen dashed the tears from her
eyes and nodded, saying, In panied
voice: But my father"
"Ah, l realize" Lejarn said abrupt
ly, then, Here, Helen, take this Ma
pie Leaf Pin, and when can stand
on an equal footing with you I'll come
to claim you 1t will take time to
build myself up in business, perhaps
you may tire of waiting, but remem-
Der I will always love you," and Le-
jarn pinned the silver token onto
Helen's dress; he clasped those strong
arms about her for moment. and
only the tapping waves and her sobs
were heard. She almost pushed Le-
jarn away and fed from the lake.
flushed woodlands and tranquil bay
met the tired eyes Of the passengers
on board of the boat which was slowly
drifting into the Canadian harbor.
Helen, clad in black, her face rath-
er pale and sad, looked back at the
vast extent of ocean behind her and
sighed. She would never return. Her
father had died, and the heavily mort
gagged estate had been confiscated, all
within the year that she had spent
since she left Canada the previous
fall. Helen was returning to make
her home with Aunt Sophia.
From the time she left the boat un-
til she got out of the pony cart at her
aunt's cottage, Helen mused doubt
fully, hopefully Lejarn was in that
town yet, so she learned but had he
forgotten her after that brief summer
acquaintance?
Although fatigued, that same even
ing Helen walked through the woods
to the lake She even donned the
same muslin gown she had worn that
night when she and LEARN had stood
on the shore, and fastened the little
maple leaf pin to the collar. The lit
tie boat was still there and she got
in For a time she rowed aimlessly
gazing beyond the black pines. into
the brilliant, glowing west.
LEARN had forgotten her, probably,
and she must forget him. Helen took
off the pin and held it in her hand
moment. At that instant rustling in
the bushes disturbed her and looking
up she saw-Lester LEARN standing
on the cleaning strand Of the Lac
d'Amour.
"Helen!" he uttered; his face grew
pale with sudden surprise. With
hasty movement, he started to un-
loose the remaining craft that was
tied to the stake, but Helen shook her
head, and with few strokes brought
her boat to the shore.
Pardon me, Miss MacNole, | have
again intruded upon your solitude
and on a sadder occasion" Lejarn
glanced at the black ribbon band on
Helen's sleeve.
Helen nodded and stood silently be-
fore the tenor, who looked at her
questioningly.
II have not become wealthy enough
yet to claim probably you
had forgotten me" he began In
choking voice. Then he told her how
he had struggled to advance in bust
ness and how his father had died, too
and left him utterly alone. Helen
told her own grief in few words.
Then there was silence few mo-
ments; Lejarn searched for the pin,
but did not see 1t. Helen, seeing the
action, blushed family as she unclosed
her hand and showed the little en-
blem.
The Lac d'Amour grew dark and
pine fragrance filled the air. Again
the moon shone brightly and the wa
ters Of the lake Tapped a soft, ten er
song, not marred by sobs of sorrow,
but happy silence told the simple
three-worded story more eloquently
than ever before. Far across, on the
opposite side of the lake, children's
voices were singing:
s1Tha manle leaf orr emblem dear
The maple leaf forever.
God save our King and heaven bless
The maple leaf forever"
And Helen walked through the ST.
lent aisles of the forest with LEARN,
never more to leave the region of the
Lac d'Amour.-EVA GORMLEY.
State Socialism.
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