The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-11-04

good business welcome from his man.
ager.
"Quite an order, Mr.. Lee" he said,
briskly They are going to build on
the old Marsh lot
"Who are 'they'?" inquired Eustace,
his pulses ever quickening at any al
fusion to the spot where he had first
met Elaine.
'tBless me If know! A city lawyer
has the matter in charge. He has
carte blanche as to expenditure, he
represents He was hard customer
to suit"
"How 500" inquired Eustace with
suppressed but vital interest.
Made me go over all our plans Just
by chance / happened to unroll that
special one you always said would be
the kind of a place you would build if
you ever got that far. told him about
it. He seemed to take it as an evil
dence that it must be ideal if 1t repre-
scented your artistic ideas, lugged it
away to the city to show his client and
was back promptly. Build it, was his
simple order. Let Mr.. Lee give it spe-
cial attention from start to tinish,' and
went to the bank and deposited the
entire amount Of the cost estimate"
Many time in a task that went on,
as in dream life, Eustace Lee won
dered if coincidence, fate, were at
work that the home he had blocked out
in fancy, always with Elaine as it's
queen, should have been ordered for
the beloved spot so dear to him. Could
it be that any of the Marsh family de-
signed to return to the town? He
dreamed, he marveled, he hoped.
A great deep longing was in his
heart as one evening he stood before
the new structure, all finished. Even
the grounds had been renovated.
There, too, were the two trees, sur
rounded by pretty parterre of fow-
ers. Almost the tears came to his
eyes, for all this appeared as the full
f1llment of the fondest dream of his
life.
The lawyer in the city was notified
of the completion of the house. Then
there came telegram to the office.
The owner of the new home would be
down on the evening train and would
meet Mr.. Lee on the grounds to take
possession.
1t was beautiful moonlit evening
as Eustace walked from his home in
the direction of the new villa. His
thoughts were sad, Cor the work had
occupied his mind, it SO reminded him
of his lost love- The beautiful struc-
ture and lovely grounds were irradi.
ated with liquid light that lent a
dreamy effect to the scene. Eustace
expected that the lawyer and his client
would be about the porch, but found
them not
Then suddenly he gave great start
and stared weirdly in the direction of
the two trees He strained his vision
to view female figure standing di.
rectly beneath their branches 1t was
quiescent, statue-like, yet it seemed
to exercise some indefnable influence
that drew him towards the spot. Slow.
ly he advanced. nearer and nearer he
approached girlish form robed in
white, statue-like in pose; but true
blue eyes and longing smile showed
forth from the lovely face.
"Elaine!" he cried in gasp, and al.
most reeled where he stood.
She put forth both hands. He was
all a-tremble as he inclosed them In
his own She transfixed his gaze.
Thus in silence, rapturous, intense.
they stood for some moments.
"You-you have returned" he man.
aged to utter, incoherenly, at last.
"As you see," responded the sweet
tranquil tones of yore.
"And-alone?"
Her glance fell, as her face sad.
dened. A tear stole down her cheek.
my father died six months ago,
she said.
''And-and others?" he questioned,
stumblingly, breathlessly.
There are no Others" responded
Elaine. There was only you. Through
all the years | wondered if you re-
membered our pledge. / came to the
city and found-and found"
THAT you alone filled my hearth
cried Eustace. "Oh, my cherished
love! Can you not understand that,
and. true to the end, had you passed
by. my heart would CULVER under your
feet had it lain for century dead!'
She turned towards the beautiful
house, her face radiant in the white
pure moonlight She drew closer,
closer into his sheltering arms, as she
murmured rapturously:
"Your home-minei"
Didn't See the Joke.