The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-01-17

Y Far back In my memories OF the
Z pasti hear these words repeated by d
sweet voice on bright mornings In the
spring. and 4 see before my eyes the
little SstreetS in a quiet quarter where
was awakened every morning in May
by The refrain \ lilac branches, Lilac
branches I. y
The first time, 1fhcard them / open
ed my widow and saw the slight form
o. q young eirl carrying Gu her head a,
heavy! basket. = n "A n
$s The next morning at sunrise / cav.
"a young girl Sof 20 with NAKED Sfeet,ia
beautiful Sunspolled child OF nature.
with large blue eyes and q wealth 8of
auburn hair which covered, her, shoul!,
ders and back like a mantle Of spun
sglitterlng copper. q 81 If
No doubt she. had picked her burden
along the country paths before the
!, break Of day and was now selling the
fresh, !dewy flowers, attracting huyersi
by her simple melody: Lilac
branches. Lilac branches y 81
Good morning, little one. How
much are your. flowers ~ ~
Twenty sous the bunch, without
counting IN y Il. ii;;ls,,
Please let me have Eve. will you?
They are for Mamie.'s X 4
And WHO'S Mamie. pray I.
"a girl who is very dear to my
heart & s ~
s"oh, then the price Is different. i
do not charge lovers 80 much for myi
1 flowers + !. N u
She mounted the stone steps and i
opened the door How well fremem.!
Der this apparition Of spring On the,
threshold. This girl was beautiful, 10.
sage beauty, with deep Fand soulful
eyes. Il 7;
For Mamie" she said withia smile.
And this is for YOU, ! said. hand
ing her a Ave francs piece. !
But this money, i 81 Z. -
Keep It. j am SO 'happy this morn
ing. q 1t Is my first bouquet OF love-
Her face beamed. y
Then may God bless YOU she said
earnestly. :; sg3
What is your name ~ asked. I
Lilac branches, ~ she yhummed and
asped away. y 4 Z
Since that she brought me fresh II,
ilacs for: Mamie every morning, and
when Mamie saw the flowers she was
as happy as d chlld, and | told her Of
the young girl. II; q
Wheretdid she. come from and what
\ was the mystery Of her laborious life,
for the basket was heavy and her:
dusty feet showed she had walked far.
II asked her. but she would mot tell!
What did II matter? Mamie! also spoke
to her, tut$sttll she kept her secret
and said she had nothing @ tel.
Thus 1t was sall spring. i 4, 4 :,
When the4nex spring came, ! once
more he ird, the sweet voice. but my
{sWindows remained closed, Lilac
Branches stopped in front 81 my house,
I and sang louder as IL to call me.
The next day she knocked, at my
door. She was as beautiful as before.
! with her burden Of flowers and her
I thoughtful eyes. s X n. y. \.
.And Mamie y she asked. 4.
Manic is dead" whispered.
~ Lilac Branches looked at me sad
and silent. 1t looked as II she wanted
to say something, but tears came into
her eyes. and she walked away. 81 81
The next morning ] found at dawn
1 on my doorstep the whole basket Of
5>lilacs, with a slip Of paper. on which
!, was written: For Mamie.
1t was her whole days load she had
left and the lilacs were the most beau.
tiful Z had ever sees. s,5.s {;;5i
Alas she had misunderstood me.
and3the next morning said to hers,
II thank you with oil my heart, Lilac
Branches, but Mamie Is dead only. to
me. ~ tSs$5, 4 + 81 q 5l X X \, 4 II
My little. flower girl never came
back. She was too tactful to arouse
Hsad memories In; my soul by her song,
but heisweet tune has 5neyeF died In
Hmyheart to this day:-Max fYilleneuve.