Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-04-03

ioJs tnc carpenter, bJlll pending over
his bench. industrious as ever; there
the same old orchard in which he had
gathered stolen apples when he was a
boy. Then he was passing into the
open country, and always his feet led
him toward his fathers home. He
had refused to rent the old place after
the old people had died. from some
sentimental motives which he was
ashamed to confess to himself.
How empty and forlorn II looked, with
Its boarded windows, and the garden,
once trim. but now overgrown with
weeds. And at the end OF the lane
was the Grays' cottage. That was not
forlorn, but stood, trim and immacu-
late as ever, In its neat little garden.
A woman was walking up the lane.
She had turned in from below, just
where the Gray cottage abutted on
the pike. She would see him when
she came out of the bend a few feet
from The stile. Bremerton remem-
bered how his heart had hammered
that morning he had first kissed her.
1t was here, and Lizzie had walked
Just as she walked now, unconscious
that he waited there. He had wanted
to run away, as he wanted to run
now. And she had looked I'D sudden
ly and seen him, just as she looked up
now.
And both had trembled, just as both
were trembling now.
And he had kissed her, just as he
kissed her now.
For the rush of the years was swept
away, and they were boy and girl
again beside the rustic stile. And
it was only afterward, when they
started guilty away, that they re-
membered.
Bremerton remembered that he was
a mature man, verging upon middle
life, who had lost all the happy as
pirations and ideals of youth. And
she. She had hardly changed
except that her figure had grown
mature and her face more thoughtful,
graver.
you are-not married then?" he
stammered.
She looked at him coldly, the flush
Of shame slowly fading out of her
cheeks.
How can you ask me that, John?"
she said.
but / heard-I heard"
That's why you ceased to writer"
He had never been able to deceive
Lizzie. Now the old impulse toward
confession burned in him.
No" he answered, 81 ceased to
write before l was told. But still, I
am sure that if had not heard so I
should some day have come back"
ITO redeem your pledge, John?
Well. / release you from it, So let
your conscience rest. My school occu-
pies all my life and is my whole inter-
est. While you-you are. or were, a
very busy man and a very famous
one"
Then you have heard?" he asked.
"Of course I've heard of you, John
Bremerton," she answered I've
have all followed your career with the
greatest interest" she continued. col
oring family. you know we are all
proud of you in Pennington"
Were proud" he corrected.
Are proud, john" she replied,
looking steadily into his eyes. BE
cause you fell fighting like a man,
and never did a single dishonorable
thing. And when they got you down
1t was they who were disgraced, not
you. l am glad you came back for
this little while. John, so that could
tell you this-that we all believe in
you"
20, if only had never gone!" he
cried. IF / could have life over again
would stay here and live out my life
with you. I've been a fool, Lizzie,
and in searching for the pot of gold
under the rainbow l found the gold
but l guess missed the rainbow. But
now the gold is gone and the rainbow
is still shining. Lizzie. I've come back
to stay--with you"
with me?" she repeated. with
me, John?"
WANT yOhi hC NiASus udNG
never known what happiness meant
since went away And even though
/ ceased to write and-well, forgot
you'll always had vision of time
when | should come back to you.
But you see l thought had lost the
right to come. Lizzie. dear. l have
found you again. want to keep you.
Will you be my wife?''
"You-you mean that. John?" she
stammered. Butch, no, John. you
are Just chivalrous. am not for
you now; your place is in the city,
where you win again make your mark
while /"
He drew her into his arms. and she
lay there at last. happily. He bent
his face to hers.
"Tell me you love me-" he whis-
pered.
IL have always loved you, John"
- oneuyerad hack "And eOnoahovg 4