Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-07-29
Heart Of Gold

warm, glorious sunshine.
Miss Lavinia drew her rocking
chair close to the south window and
pushed up the shade that the sun
might shine full upon her
Miss Lavinia had no young nieces
or nephews to plant and water her
garden, and her own strength now
barely suflced for the needful daily
tasks. In other years her lilies and
roses had been the delight Of the VIII
lage, and flowers of every hue had
blossomed freely under her loving
care.
AS time passed she had drawn slow
ly aloof from the life around her. Old
friends had gone beyond and she had
lost the art Of making new ones. Day
by day she sat at her window and
peered through the dark shutters,
watching the children on their way to
school Had one of them come
through the gate and venturtd up the
path. she would have met him at her
door with out stretched arms, but she
had forgotten how to call to them
from behind the bars Of her shyness
and reserve.
There was no tenderer heart in all
the world than Miss Lavinia's, but its
sweetness was wrapped away from
her own souls understanding by the
close shut petals Of her shy restraint
and lonely retlcence.
Yet on this fair spring day. when
she heard the Easter bells ringing as
she raised her window for a breath OF
the soft air. there stole into her heart
a longing to mingle once more with
the happy-faced throng of churchgo-
ers. With swift resolution she took
down her plain black bonnet with its
white null strings. wrapped her shawl
around her black silk gown, drew on
her best Isle gloves. and stepped out
into the warm sunshine.
The bells had ceased ringing when
she reached the church and she hesi-
tated on the threshold. for every peH
seemed filed Then, as the congreg5.
tion rose and the familiar doxoloey
pealed forth. she walked quietly down
the broad aisle and found her accus-
TONED seat near the front.
The altar was banked with fair
white blossoms, whose delicate per.
fume filed the whole place. A nev
|. message OF life, radiant with the Joy
of this world and the hereafter. came
to her with the music and the ser.
mon.
Near the close Of the service the
children came to the space in front OF
the pulpit and each one was given a
pot containing an Easter lily. oce
blossom was left.
Then little lad who sat In the pew
behind Miss Laylnia. and who had
often caught a glimpse OF her sad
face as he passed her window, went
swiftly forward. lifted the plant In his
arms and carried it straight to Mss
Lavinias pew She held out one hand
for the lily. and with the other drew
the boy 10 her side. So they stood.
listening TO the sweet words of TIE
benediction. and when the Amen he'd
been chanted the white head bent to
the golden one.
DO you Ike the lily?" the child
asked eagerly
For an instant she looked deep into
the golden heart Of the fair blossom
and her soul drank In the message of
it's unfolded petals. Then she drew
the boy closer and kissed his forehead.
Il shall love it very mnch." she as
sured him. Then added shyly. you
must come and see me often and let
me love you. too"
And the lad nodded brightly as he
walked up the aisle by her side aad
out into the sunny street
AS they walked along he spoke hest
tstingly
Mother says you used to have lc9e
ly lilies in your garden when she was
a girl"
Tears sprang to Miss Layinia's
eyes, but she smiled down at him
through the mist Then she conhdod
TO his childish. sympathetic heart how
sorely she had missed the beauty end
fragrance OF her flowers since her
hands had grown too frail and weak 20
| tend them.
They reached her gate as her lone
| ly little confession ended. TIE lai
looked from his own lily he was
rying 20 the blossom in Miss Lavinia's
hand.
Il think III leave my lily here ton
he said. "One might be lonesome al.
alone. and mothe won't mind. Well
have so many other flowers soon"
Then he looked up at her w'th
eager eyes.
Il wish You would let me come end
work IN your garden. IN do II just rs
you tell me. and maybe some o. the
other boys win help. May ] try?'
a happy little laugh sprang sta led
from her lips as she gave the desired
! permission. and she walked M thc
path with a lighter heart than she had
known for years.
So once more the roses and lies
bl1omed iH her garden, the shutters az
the front windows were flung 9lde
open that brighthued hollyhnvk.
might peep IN at her and saucy-iace,
pansles smiled az her beside the wan,
The golden-hearted Easter lilies haf
faded, but the heart OF the Womar
grew ever more tender and sweet. fol
not a day passed but children's voice.
echoed through the old house ard IN
intermingling with their merry lenrt
ter rang Miss Lavinia's silvery treble
She had found the secret of the life
eternal in the 10y OF the life today
MRS. BESSIE D, DUcEY.