Evening star., 1915-03-21
FRUIT OF THE TREE
Continued from page 4

/
The fires in him had been burnt out. But
something remained more enduring than
fire.
He fell into the way of sending Florence
violets, and each bouquet was the initial to
a call. At last there came day when, hav-
ing first begged for the interview, he came
to her in dilemma.
"Florence, he said gravely, "I have just
received an offer to superintend the build
ing of railroad in Brazil. | can do one of
three things. | can 60 there alone, and turn
my back finally and forever on this my old
life; l can refuse to CO. and can open an
office in this town as consulting engineer;
or" His keen face whitened as he hesi-
tated.
"Or, what, Robert?"
"Or, if Heaven should drop a certain
white blessing on me, could take you with
me, give you the great change you need,
and be your protector to the end Of my
days"
"Robert!" cried Florence. "Would it be
right?'
81 would give you great affection, Flor
ence, and undivided fealty"
81 believe that, said the woman thought
fully. ~-
at is not what we once planned for our
selves, Florence. 1t is not binding glory.
We see clearly-see each other as we are.
We can expect, think, quiet contentment.
We will help each other in sickness and sor-
row, and we will have deeper appreciation
of all the happiness and good fortune that
may come, for being together"
"Yes, said Florence, that is so Robert
How soon do you go south?'
"In month. Will you be my wife and
come with meo"
Suddenly the tears leaped to the girls
eyes, and she put up her trembling hands
to them with a childish gesture of sorrow
ooh, yes, Robert dear" she sobbed, 81 will
go with you!'
She felt his arms comfort her, felt him
gently kissing away her tears.
TT was five years before Robert Olden and
his wife Florence saw their native land
again, and then they brought with them
two dark-haired sons,-two wondering, ques-
tioning, eager little creatures, round whose
diminutive bodies and vivid spirits their
own lives revolved unwearyingly
mo more wayfaring for us, eh, Florence?"
said Robert to her, as they stood on the
deck of the steamer that had brought them
from brief vacation in England. at is
our own land from now on. We must make
American citizens of the boys"
"No one ever mistook them for anything
else," she said laughingly "But what
troubles me is where we shall make our
home. Usually these things are settled for
one.
"Some place with good schools" said Rob
ert thoughtfully; "yet not with too aca-
demic an atmosphere. 1t must be stimu-
lating place. We want the boys to see the
present time in all its force and splendor.
It's glorious time to live in, and l want
them to feel it. | mean they shall be as
thankful for life as | am, Florence. Every
year it grows richer for me.
"Does it, Robert? I'm so thankful! And
know how you feel. There's an essential
joy-in-life that makes each day more Won
derful than the last. 1t is fine that we needn't
hasten about selecting place to live,
isn't it? l should like to look around
little, think. l want to live in friendly
town, and an active, but not a breathless
one. l want to be near water, and in the
midst of beautiful country"
eyes, that's right, beautiful country. The
boys"
They were to stop in New York for awhile,
t,art1v tn rafrac1, tha;r ~,