Charlevoix county herald., 1913-06-21
LIKE SACRED MEMORY
BY ROBERT M'cHEYNe.

cullar dellcacy from the 1adlng mlgnO-
nette sprawling over the west wall.
1t was as though the dainty flower
had kept something back from sum-
mers passionate wooing, and were
now opening her heart in all it's puri-
ty to her departing lover; 1t was like
farewell kiss; it was like sacred
memory.
An old man, in whose dark, quiet
eye was a shade of kindly melan-
choly, came slowly up the street.
casting a glance from time to time,
about the old-fashioned houses as
When he reached the crumbling pill
lar at the end of the old wall he
paused and breathed deeply the rare
perfume of the fading flower about
him, all the while with his staff
planted firmly on the fiagstone. A
little girl, scarce taller than his
walking stick, and as dainty as the
flower itself, was standing by the
wall, plucking a withered blossom
now and then and tossing it aside,
as she listened to the words of her
playmate.
But, Maisie," he protested, you
ran away"
me an APPLE" she said, and walked
off.
The little chaps face was Of seri.
Gus mold, with a heavy brown lock
of hair hanging over his forehead,
and he made a quaint figure in his
short jacket and blue trousers reach
ing just to the tops of his stout
buckle-shoes. He said no more, but
ln.,:St his hands into his pockets
and turned slowly IN tsa Aouav.
"Maisie," called the old man.
She CAME quickly toward him aad
sat down on the stone bench by IL
side.
How did you know my name?"
she asked.
"Maisies a pretty name" he said.
my granIma's name was Maisie.
How did you kncw?"
Il heard the boy say it."
The boys names Tom - Tom
Midgley Manning. What's your
manner"
The old man started slightly l..
the name. "My names Tom, too,"
he said, and they were silent a long
time. Then he said:
DO you know what's the greatest
thing in the world, little girl?"
What is?"
Happiness"
I'm happy" she said.
But I'm afraid Toms notion
Midgley."
Just then a little figure appeared
from behind an old apple tree. 1t
was Tom.
go away, bad boy she called.
why do you send him away?"
20, he won't CO." she replied with
confidence.
The old man smiled sadly. Some
day he may go away; he may 60
away and never come back-never."
Then I'll have the new boy.
Dick" she cried, and was running
to meet him when the old man called
her back.
II want you to give me some.
thing he said. II want you to give
me a spray of mignonette."
Maisie held out the withered bios.
som she had been crushing in her
hand.
And your grandma?" he went on,
holding her by his side.
She's gone with my other grand.
ma" she said simply.
Gone" repeated the old man, and
he rose and slowly walked away.
The years few by. Again the Oc-
tober sun kissed the dying flower on
the wall farewell, but the bench was
deserted, and the sun went down and
the desolate mignonette breathed her
fragrant tenderness unnoticd. 1t be-
came dark and the harvest moon rose
above the old apple tree.
On the night air came the sound
Of voices laughing and chatting mer-
rily; and from the shadow of the old
tree came the figv~e of a tall, fair
girl and a man. He as strong
looking chap and wore MS college
cap like one used to having his way.
They walked straight to the migno'
nette and paused.
'Ah, Maisie, Maisie!" he cried, seiz-
ing her hand, don't you-wont you
see. / mean more than that. know
you care for me. / want your love-"
I'm sorry, so sorry; but l don't
love you, Dick"
For a moment the new boy" stood
motionless. Then, seeing the express
sion in her face, he turned and
walked slowly away.
The girl plucked a sprig CT migno-
nette and stood turning it in her hand.
Something MOVED by the stone bench,
and she turned toward it, scarcely
knowing what vague hope was in her
heart
Toni" she cried, running to the
bench and kneeling before the dark
figure.
At the sound of his name the old
man raised his eyes and placed his
hand on the girls head.