The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-06-03
LIKE SACRED MEMORY
BY ROBERT M'cHEYNE.

The warm OCTOBER SunsnlEe
seemed to draw fragrance OF pc
culiar delicacy from the fading migno-
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 its puri-
ty to her departing lover; it was like
Q farewell kiss; it was like sacred
memory.
An old man, in whose dark, quiet
eye was q shade of kindly melan.
choly, came slowly up the street.
casting a glance from time to time,
about the old-fashioned houses as
though in search of familiar signs.
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 fagstone. A
little girl, scarce taller than his
walking stick, and as dainty as the
flower itself, was standing by the
wall, plucking 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"
The new boys strong. He gave
me an apple" she said, and walked
off.
The little chaps face was of seri.
Gus mold, with heavy brown lock
Of hair hanging over his forehead
and he made 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
thrust his hands into his pockets
and turned slowly to the house.
"Maisie," called the old man.
She came quickly toward him and
sat down on the stone bench by his
side.
How did you know my name?"
she asked
"Maisies a pretty name" he said.
MY grandmas name was Maisie.
How did you know?"
II heard the boy say it.
THE boys names Tom = Tom
Midgley Manning. What's your
name?"
The old man started slightly at
the name. my names Tom, too"
he said, and they were silent q 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 60" she replied with
confidence.
The old man smiled sadly Some
day he may go away; he may go
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 hack.
II want you to give me some
thing he said. Il want you to give
me a spray OF mignonette."
Maisie held out the withered bios
som she had been crushing in her
hand.
"Ano 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
be 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. It 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 figure of tall, fair
girl and man. He was a strong.
looking chap and wore his 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-won't you
see. mean more than that. | know
you care for me. l want your love-"
I'm sorry, so sorry; but l don't
love you, Dick"
For 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 Of 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.
TOM" she cried, running to the
bench and kneeling before the dark
| figure