Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-03-20
~AUF WIEDERSEHN"


b colored clouds, reaching far over
the towering peaks OF mountains
which closed protoctingly the little
sleepy town OF NJ. One long
crimson ray fingered caressingly on
the golden hair and sweet upturned
face OF a girl, whose eyes were fixed
searchingly on the youth at her
side. He gazed moodily at the
tumbling, tossing. turbulent little
stream flowing rapidly beside them,
and then, when the silence became
unbearable, he turned quickly to
her, saying:
THAT river is symbolic Of my life
--restlessly hurrying on it's way,
never pausing in its mad rush over
the falls to the great unknown sea
beyond-ambitious searching for
that something which is its very
lffe."
And so, you are-going away?"
The words were a nero whisper, and
as he slowly nodded his head the
color left the girls cheeks and lips,
and the hand she laid on his black,
rebellious curls trembled. "Yol
never thought Of these things be-
fore, Ted-you were happy and con-
tented-but now"
Now l have awakened. / know
where that one thing desire most
Noa-apr. eciationi
"You-you will come back?"
'Some day-yes" He could not
meet the clear blue eyes, could not
bear to see the quivering of the white
lips, for he knew there lived in his
heart the uniformed thought that
when this grand recognition came to
pass he might choose his wife from
among the greatest of the land and
the loyal little country sweetheart
would be forgotten.
Time moves swiftly on, In spite of
broken hearts and forgotten prom
ises, and five years later a sweet
faced women made her way slowly
through crowded salon where were
gathered the fashionable devotees to
art. A tiny little maiden, with the
same big blue eyes and golden hair
clung to her hand as she walked
down the long aisles, here eyes trav-
elling quickly from picture to pic
ture, until at last she paused before
one which was catalogued "Auf
Wiedersehn."
'Maida!" She turned and the
years fell swiftly away as she gazed
once more into the eyes of her child
hood sweetheart. With the impul-
sive little gesture he remembered
so well she extended her hand, and
his face went white as he clasped 1t
close in his.
You were looking at my pic
ture?" he asked after a moment of
silence.
Yes" she replied softly. 1T is
beautiful. l am glad you have been
so successful"
But even you did not quite un-
derstand it. No one in the world
could! No one knows what l would
give to be back in that spot and
these last five years only a dream
fancy"
But you are famous now," she
answered slowly. You have found
appreciation"
Appreciation-the hollow, empty
sanction of the world-once my only
thought, my ambition-but / left be-
hind me on the banks of this very
river, a jewel more priceless than
diamonds-left and lost forever!
But let us talk of yourself. l saw
you pass through with your-your
little one, and l hastened after you,,
for | was hungry for-for news from
home"
Her motioned her to a seat lit
tie apart from the crowd. and they
moved slowly to 1t, each busy with
their own thoughts. Many curious
eyes followed them for the young
artist was noted FOR his taciturnity.
and 1t excited no little comment
when he singled this sweet-faced
stranger from the rest.
MAZDA. tell me-" he whispered at
last. ARE you happy? Your face is
30 sad | thought perhaps you, too.
remember the past"
And so l do" she answered gent
iy.
Remember it, yes,'' he cried bit
terly, but not as I do. You have
your loved ones about you; you
have so much more than / to live
for"
And do you love-Maida? he
asked the child-he could not bring
himself to say mamma" The
bright blue eyes looked at him in
great surprise, as If the question
really needed no answer, then she
said:
"Tourse l do-and her loves me-
don't you, Auntie Maida?"
"Auntie!" The word was hardly
audible. but 1t spoke volumes. She
is not-not your own?"
"No-my sisters little daugh-