Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-07-14
ONE MANS HOBBY
BY SUSAN z. cLAGETT.

paper Syndicate.)
Elizabeth Yeaton laughed a. she
walked around the beech tree and ex-
amined the markings on its trunk
two hearts pierced by an arrow ana
encircled by the legend, "Pansies for
thoughts, rosemary for remembrance"
Were we ever SO foolish as that?"
she asked herself. Then the laugh
died in a sigh as she walked on, push,
ing her way through the tangle OF
ragweed that obstructed her path. Be-
low her, Cabin branch rippled with a
soft murmur. Everywhere were mem
cries and mingling with them'a soft,
clear whistle. once SO familiar
sound it occasioned no surprise when
she reached the farm gate to see q
man stretching out hand to open II.
81 thought you would come" he said
quietly. The years have made no
change in you. You are not one day
older. Your eyes are sparkling and
your mouth has the same adorable
kink at the corners that"
He came through the gate and stood
beside her. You received my let
teri"
mo. Did you writer"
Then owe my good luck to Provi-
dence. | asked you to meet me here.
But had hoped for different recep-
ton. Elizabeth. won't you give me q
word of welcome?"
Il have first to forget years OF alb
sence and silence" she said slowly.
why do women treasure such
things against a MANI" he asked I'M
patiently.
She smiled at him with unconcerned
eyes. What have you been doing all
the years you have forgotten friends
and country"
Working hard. l wanted q home.
When / needed recreation / cultivat-
ed flowers. You should see my gar
den."
That would indeed be pleasant.
And your wife," she asked courte-
ously.
You are still an adept at fencing.
Elizabeth" he interrupted. Are we
to continue the same old game?"
81 do not understand. We are too
old to play pussy wants corner and
hide and seek. Those are the only
games / remember. Perhaps l will
recall others later on" she said.
1T will be pleasant to rummage
among old memories" he laughed
shortly, but at present l am interest
ed in knowing when you received my
wedding cards"
They never reached me. But q
home suggests wife. doesn't it,"
mot necessarily. The purchase
was the result of q settled purpose.
May / trespass upon your hospital
ity? For the first time in years / can
treat myself to q short vacation"
You are most welcome" she re-
piled cordially. you have been sad
ly missed"
Thank you. Your voice then held
its first note of friendliness. ! was
beginning to feel homesick. Eliza
beth. will you let me give you lessons
in gardening during my stay?
She threw back her head and
laughed heartily. 1T would be
wasted effort. Plants never thrive
for me, so leave the borders to
Uncle Pink"
Perhaps you have never tried hard
enough. l want to talk and am
curious. Are you really as indiher'
ent about that letter as you would
have me believer"
81 had forgotten It."
Then, l presume, since the letter
is so easily forgotten, memory will
be at fault in regard to several things
have been hoping you would remem.
ber."
Il remembered you," she replied
pleasantly. Ten years is long to
keep one in mind, especially"
Especially"
when one tries hard to be forgot
ten."
She brushed the litter from hel
dress. There was a finality in the
movement that made him stretch out
a OBTAINING hand.
Don't 60. 1t is very pleasant here
even If ! am disappointed in the
warmth of my greeting. and l do q
wish to tell you of my garden"
She shook her head even as sh'
paused. Il am afraid you ride an OLE
mans hobby. Come to the house and
tell me in the 1irelight. The air II
getting frosty
mo. l must tell it here" He hest
tated a barely perceptible instant. Il
is a hobby. Dear, you should see m.
beds of pansies and rosemary"
The color fiared into her face. "Yo1
: had prepared me for a garden of OF
chids, but even old-fashioned flower
can be an outlet for surplus energy
You always did throw yourself bod
and soul into whatever you undertook
to do"
/. why not. Elizabeth? This is Nor
day. l must be in my office Thursda
morning. Important business require
. my attention, else / would renal
here and begin at the beginning Q
things. Ten years is long time, bu
you have never been absent from m
! thoughts. would have written, bu
there was nothing to say. had notl
!. ing to offer you. The best l could d
was to work for home for you.
has taken me ten years. Will you q,
| can't 80 WILL WI, On ho cI Xrvi<h 90,