The Ordway new era. (Ordway, Colo.) 1902-1927, 1914-08-21

49,
shall tell you when 1t began with
met Not last nisht-nor the day We
planted Che Tamblsrs. i(Do you know.
when your little muddy boot went
tsampling down the earth about THAR
roots. wanted to stoop down and
kiss TT 30 dear everything about
you wasi Not fAat evening at Rose
wood, With the -arbor fragrance about
NJ. Il think shall always picture you
with roses all about you. Red roses
the color Of your hpsD No. It was not
then mat II uegan-nor that dreadful
hour when you fought with mo to save
my life-nor the morning you sat your
horse In the box-rows in that ysw-
green habit that made your hair look
like molten copper. No, It began the
frst afternoon. when sat In my mo-
tor with your rose In my hand! II
has never left me since. by day or BY
night And yet there are people in
this age Of airships and honking high
ways and typewriters who think love
at-nrst-sight n - out-os.dAte ~ our
little grandmothers' hoops rusting in
the garrett. All. sweetheart. !. for one.
know better! g.
Suppose I had not come to vir-
ginia-and known you! MY heart
Jumps whom I think Of It. 1t makes
one believe In fate. Here At the Court
I found an old leaf-caiendar-it sits
at my elbow now. Just ~ came ON It
The date It shows il May 18th. and
it, motto y: Every man carries his
fate upon . riband about his neck.
I like that.
THAT nrst Sunday 1t st. Andrews.
I thought Of dAy-may 1t be sooni--
whom you and might stand before
that altar. with your people (my
people. too. now) around US. and
shall hear you say: I. Shirley. take
thee, John And to think It II really
to come true! Do you remember the
text the minister preached 'FRONT.' 1t was
But all men perceive that they have
riches. and that their faces shine a.
the faces Of angels I think shall
30 about henceforth with my face
shining. 70 that all men will see that
! have riches-your love for me. dear.
II am 70 happy can hardly see the
wcrds-or perhaps It 10 that the sun
has set l am sending this over by
Uncle Jefferson. Send me back Just
. word BY him. sweetheart, to say
may come to you tonight And add
the three short words am 20 thirsty
to hear over and Overcome verb b.
tween two prunouns-so that can
kiss them al q oncsi"
He raised his head. . little flushed
and with eyes brilliant, lighted q
candle. sealed the letter with the ring
he wore and dispatched 1t.
Thereafter he sat looking into the
growing dusk. watching the pale
lamps Of the considerations deepen to
green gilt against the lapislazuli OF
the sky. and listening to the insect
noises dulling into the woven chorus
OF evening. Uncle Jefferson was long
In returning. and he grew impatient
finally and began to prowl through the
dusty corridors like . leopard. then
to the front porch and finally to the
driveway. listening at every turn for
the familiar slouching step.
Whom at length the old negro ap-
peared, Valiant took the note he
brought, his heart beating rapidly,
and carried 1t hastily in to the CANDLE
light. He did not open 1t at once. but
sat for . full minute pressing It be
tween his palms as though to extract
from the delicate paper the beloved
thrill Of her touch. His hand shook
slightly ~ he drew the folded leaves
from the envelope. How would It be-
gin? my Knight of the Crimson
Roser or Dear Gardener" (She had
called him Gardener the day they had
set out the roses) or perhaps even
"Sweetheart?" Il would not be long,
only a mere "Yes'' or Come to me"
perhaps. Jet even the shortest missive
had its beginning and its ending.
He opened and read.
For an instant he stared unbeliev-
ingly. Then the paper cracked to a
ball In his clutched hand, and he made
hoarse Round which was half cry,
then sat perfectly stu. his whole face
shuddering. What he crushed in his
hand was no note of tender love
phrases; It was an abrupt dismissal.
The stagHering contretemps struck
the color from his face and left every
nerve raw and quivering. To be moth
ing to her. a. she could Be nothing to
him?" He felt CHASTITY inclination to
laugh. Nothing to her!
Presently. his brows frovninE heav-
lily. he spread out the crumpled paper
and reread 1t with bitter slowness.
weighing each phrase. Something
which she had learned since she last
saw him. which lay between them"
She had not known II, then, last night,
when they had kissed beside the sun
dial! Shs had loved him theni What
could there be that thrust them irrev.
ocably apartf