Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-02-12

since, prim. Sc IVY U
we're. dignified, to
meet Alonzo Bur-
ton, who had been her sweetheart
years and years ago?
No doubt he had forgotten all about
her-the boy and girl sweethearts-
what did they matter to busy mani
She would never let him see that she
remembered.
And the hour had passed, and now
he had gone walking with pretty Mil
lie through the orchard and across the
meadow. And as Miss Nancy watched
them away, holding the curtains with
that trembling hand, she all at once
realized with sense of desolation that
little Mile, brother Johns orphaned
baby had grown up. When she came
out presently into the soft spring sun
set, there was look Of grim COM
posture on her face. She reckoned
proudly with herself that nothing was
altered in her level, hard-working life.
She knelt down beside the row of pea
vines, humming tune, but ceased in
little while and smiled bitterly to
remember that the man out there
walking with Mile had serenaded her
with that little song-a love song it
was, she remembered now-so long
ago.
It had grown too dark for her work
and still Miss Nancy knelt beside the
peavines, her pan not half filled. 1t
was the sound of their voices that
startled her from her revery. They
we're strolling slowly back, close along
the garden fence.
"And SO you think you and Jack are
in love with one another" said the
man, ref1ectively. And afraid to tell
Miss Nancy! It makes me laugh to
think of it, Millie-two such babies as
you and Jack"
I'm eighteen" said Millie, in eager
disclaimer; "and Jacks twenty-three."
"Yes-it's been good many years. y
the man sighed, simply. "Millie-l
wonder-do you think Miss Nancy ever
cared anything for me?"
Mile paused and wheeled around,
facing him in the uncertain light.
Aunt Nancy?" she cried. "Why
whatever made you think Of that?
haven't heard her say-but l shouldn't
think Aunt Nancy had ever loved any
body"
II wish knew" he said, obviously
and in deep detection. There ain't
many like her, Mile. l couldn't helI
looking at her this evening and think
ing how pretty she was, after all these
years. And you don't think-she never
seemed like she cared for anybody"
They had paused beside the garden
gate, and their voices sank lower
After awhile Miss Nancy crept through
the dark, and found her trembling way
into Miles room, struck match and
lit the lamp. The mirror on the little
dresser gave back a reflection OF &
woman, her lips parted. frightened
joyful look in her eyes.
The astonished mirror saw Mist
Nancy snatch her hair down from 1T
tight coil and pile it up awkwardly
again. in trembling haste. Little
fluffy curls and tendrils broke ou
around her temples, and the ligh
cleaned in them. II she only had ,
pretty ribbon, now-but she had onl!
one, for Sundays, and it was black. 1
had been years since she had worn an!
but black ribbon-and as for looks
who cared how she iooked? Had sh,
not told herself that q thousan,
times?
Even while she was saying 1t again
she pulled down q drawer the leas
little bit. A pink ribbon. one Of Mil
lies ribbons, lay at the very top. l
she only dared-would they laugh a
her for. trying to appear young. whel
youth was so long gone by?
Mile had light In the kitchen ant
was talking merrily with the CUES
when the door softly and shyly opened
and Miss Nancy stood there, pink-rih
boned, flushing. Mile cast one amazed
look at her. and discreetly fed, bu
the man moved toward her. half-un
consciously. holding out his hands.
why, Nannie!" he cried. Man
MEL"
Years had slipped from Miss Nancy
life.
"Millie didn't Know Lon," she said.
No Reciprocity.
| "I aea intimationa that baseball