The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-10-10

tnougnt OF MS connections and ac-
quaintances almost without number.
Yet none of them really care rap
for me; and that is not the worst of
it, he thought with unconscious pa
thos, there is no one for me to
care for. 1 want something and
don't know what it is" and he sigh
ed deeply. Il suppose l am tired out
and need to get away from this hot
place. but l can't think of anywhere
] care to GO
And it was then that a strange
thing happened. AS Cowden gazed
and with unseeing eyes
through the sunny window. suddenly
a vision came to him through the
midst of the past. In a flash there
quickened from the depths of memory
a scene long forgotten. Sarah" he
heard himself saying. Sarah Town
ley.' \ sweet face smiled at him
across the years; slender girl stood
on the vine-embowered veranda and
offered him a glass of milk.
For Cowden the door of his mind
had opened to let in shaft of light.
On the instant his heart was the
heart of boy. Life was worth liv-
ing after all. He knew what he
When day or so later he found
himself on the train. and actually on
the way South, he was not conscious
that there was anything remarkable
In his action. 1t was his nature to 20
straight after what he desired. TAX
ing the shortest cut, and now he
knew he wished to WOO and win
Sarah Townley as soon as possible
Perhaps she was already married.
though the cranky old father might
deter good many men.
There was the chance. too, that the
old man had died and that she had
been forced to seek the protection of
that unworthy kin OF whom Jake had
spoken.
Then there was the chance. though
he found her still living in the same
old place and still unmarried. that
she would have none of him. This
really troubled him more than ary-
thing.
Yes. he fully realized that the
chances were against him. ONLY
we're she to remember him after all
these years, would he feel encourag-
ed. Ten years il was.
Arriving at the little town. he or
dered horse, and started out at
once over the old country road. His
was very sober face as he rode
thoughtfully along. II only she re-
him,
The sun was still shining, but the
cool Of the evening had fallen on the
land when Cowden reached the lane
and, dismounting. tied his horse to a |
tree. He went slowly up the hill. but
his heart beat as fast as il had long
ago when he had to run. HlsI
thoughts seemed to frame themselves
IN the phrase-''if she remembers,"
She was sitting on the steps. gazing
thoughtfully over the fields. Herl
sewing had dropped from her fingers.
and lay on her lap where her hands
rested idly upon it, To Cowden she
seemed unchanged. but woman's
keener eyes would have seen a diff
ference-the hair not so bright as OF
Did; the cheeks less rosy: a pathetic
Troop TO the corners OF the mouth: a !
tired look in the blue eyes once sol
merry and bright. Bat it was she. !
The woman he wanted. there in the
iesh. Just as sweet and dear as ever. !
II only she remembered!
As he came near she turned and
saw him. and rose to her feet with
he politely inquirine glance OF one
who greets stranger at the door. |
Hat in hand he paused and tried to |
speak. But for once in his life words |
'ailed him. He stood looking at her
ntently and beseechingly. so that she |
vas stirred by faint wonder. and
answering his look with the frank
and kindly glance OF old. her ewes
slowly widened and she drew a deep
breath. Thus they stood for mo-
nent and then she smiled.
Well" she said softly. well, will
you have milk-or water!"
Cowden dropped to the step and
his heart sang a song OF thanksgiv-l