Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-04-09
Easter
Its Memories
Il an, the Resurrection
and the Life. I"
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Tenderest vanities of
earth-land, fragrant with
the odor of annunciation
III lilies and bound about for
ever with a scroll bearing
words Of promise. Long ago the gowns
whose soft harmonies delighted have
faded. With the vanishing years have
gone the dainty love tokens, and the
lover. Still the covenant remains and
the golden glory of the promise:
Il am the Resurrection and the
Life"
Far above the high-backed pew the
preachers voice intones the Easter
text.
Stretch as she may her fat little
neck. Baby Bella cannot see the
preacher. She gives herself over to
thoughts Of glories of her new Easter
toilet. A round, pink-cheeked maiden
is she, sitting straight and proper as
becomes her years-she counts FIVE
lin new black silk gown, low of
neck and short of sleeve, and very
round OF skirt A monstrous scoop
bonnet ties with fat pink bows under
her fat pink chin. Admitting contem-
plation of her two white-stockinged
legs projecting from stifiy starched
pantalettes is intermingled with
pleased anticipation of soon beholding
the fat. pink, also green. blue and red
eggs waiting her at home when serv-
Ice is over. The preachers voice
soothes like tapping waves. The
church is warm. OF a sudden the pro-
prieties of 1s45 are forgotten. Bellas
head falls against grandmother's Pals
ley shawled arm and she sleeps.
Il am the Resurrection and the
Life"
Again the words of the Easter text
fall on Miss Bella's ears UNDECIDED.
This Easter lover In soldiers uni
form stands by her side. About him
all her thoughts center. The new
Easter toilet is even a thought of him,
for was not its beauty and excessive
modishness planned to win favor in
his eyes.
The preacher and his world are so
far away
Life. and the joy of the lilies-and
love-so near.
II am the Resurrection and the
Life"
1t is Mistress Bella now, In the old
family pew, husband on one side of
her, children on the other like heads
upon lily stalk, who smiles in happy
thought. How John had laughed at
her coquettish confession that she had
chosen black because she feared she
was too old now for bright colors!
AS II the new Easter dress was not
chosen as special test Of becom-
ingness, with its long, slender polon-
aise and perky bows everywhere
over the shirred. pulled. bouffant un-
derskirt. There was no confession OF
years In the tiny capote OF glittering
jet, with wide bows of fine tulle.
The test had succeeded.
To John, to the children, she would
be always lovely, always young.
dhl thV ANCouAiCIblOh anu. Ills
Life" a.,
The little black-draped figure Of the
old lady In the high-backed pew
Strengthened perceptibly at the words
of the preacher. For an instant her
face against the crepe of the mourn
ing veil cleaned like lamp of ala
baster. Then the fame went out, In
grief for the losses of the years. The
husband and little ones laid away,
and that last and bitterest loss of all,
the boy that died at Siboney.
Trembling. she strove to draw the
mourning veil across her face. to con-
ceal the slow gathering tears of age.
Straightway bundle OF chiffon and
satin shook itself awake from her lap.
and tender rosebud face framed In
I crushed scoop bonnet of white satin
looked lovingly into hers.