The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-28
EVENING STORY
In Memory-Thcn and Now.
(By Molly McMaster)


tie old cemetery on the edge of the
village, mother. Do you mind?"
The mothers eyes filled quickly
with tears. She knew why the girl
was going; she knew, too, that her
daughters heart was as full as her
| own on this. the first Memorial day,
since their son and brother had been
lost on the battlefield of Europe.
Violet smiled thru the tears that
had forced their way into her eyes
Il won't be long. dear, and I'm taking
a basket of our lovely lilacs and snow
balls" She kissed her mother and
walked down the gravel path to the Il
gate and out along the country road Il
to the cemetery that had been a land
mark long before Violet and her
mother had come to Marionville,
Iowa, from their home in England.
| John Nash, the son and brother,
/ had answered the call of his country
and had gone to battle. He had new
er returned and only the news of his
brave death had come to the family.
To-day, when flags were at half
mast for the heroes of other wars,
Violet felt that she must go some
| where, do something, in memory of
her dear brother. The only thing that |
seemed to be possible would be to !
take flowers to the grave of some 9TH
er soldier and place them there in
memory of her brother.
She wandered about among the |
crowds IN the little cemetery. Some !
/ family parties sat about under the |
dropping willow trees leaned |
against the splendid cedars and |
picnicked after The fashion of coun- |
try folk on Decoration day. But Vio-
let could not take on the holiday |
spirit, and she wandered to the out
skirts of the buryirg ground.
On an old stone, gray and weather.
stained, she read the name of John
James Evans" Here was man
named John, as had been her brother.
The inscription told her that the man
died a hero in the Civil war, and the
iron guard of the G. A. r. with its
flag flying in the soft May breeze had
drawn her toward the spot But no
flowers had been placed on the grassy
mound. Perhaps the soldiers family
and comrades were all gone, and the
flag had been placed there by a COM
mittee appointed to decorate all army
graves.
Violet knelt down and began to ar
range clusters of white and purple
lilacs near the headstone. She dropped
many a tear as she worked for the
image of her brother was always be-
fore her. and she wondered as she
reverently placed each flower who
would do the same for him. Tears
finally streamed down her cheeks and
, she sat down upon the grass and
tried to control her emotion.
When she looked up man stood
beside her. He held pot of flowers,
old fashioned blooms. He was look
. ing at the flowers on the grave.
. Did you do that?" he asked Violet.
Violet nodded.
John James Evans was my grand
, father he said. II come every year
1t is good of you" he said. His look
questioned her further.
Il saw no flowers on the grave"
Violet said softly, and 1 wanted to
decorate the resting place of some
brave hero today" she said, swallow
ing a lump that would rise in her
throat.
"My-my brother was lost a few
, months ago in France fighting with
English troops for our country. We
r are English
John James Evanston he was the
third of that name in his family
looked down at her and noted the ex-
, quisite beauty of her face, tear-stained
tho it was. 1T was good of you to
pick out nv grandfather's grave" he
said. hardly knowing what to say.
Violet shook her. head. It's moth
ing-to you, of course" she said. But
it has done me good and it has spared
, mother the pain of seeing me give way
\ to weeping. 1 just had to. for mother
; and 1 have tried so hard to bear up
for each other-oh, so hard" she said.
John was placing his pot of flowers
in the center of the mound of grass.
These were his favorite flowers and
: grandmother asked me always to use
. them-here."
: Violet smiled. How pretty-the
? sentiment" she said.
After that there was a long silence,
during which neither young person
: seemed to know what to do or say.
Would you let me take you homer"
/. John Evans finally asked.
q Il don't go far" she protested.
i Il have my little runabout just out
side and I'm sure your mother would
MT mind" he explained.
Violet looked in his eyes for mo-
ment. Mo- don't believe she would.
= We don't know very many Americans
L for we have kept, much to ourselves.
t Do you live in Marionville?'' she
asked. as she rose.
I ''No-in Cedartown, five miles be-
l yond. 1 have a drug store there and
| it seems to be SO successful that l
can't get away
2 When Violet reached her own gate
she insisted that John come in and
, explain to her mother how it had
! come about.
Mrs. Nash, naturally reserved, look
ed surprised, but the straightforward
look in The young mans eyes and the
general manner of him seemed to
reassure her as it had treasured Vio-
/ let.
. . Wen be glad to have you join us
in a glass of cold buttermilk if you
. care to watt Mrs. Nash said, after
a few moments.
, DO stay" urged Violet
And John Evans did stay. He
thought he had never seen anyone in
the world so beautiful as this little
. English girl in the rose colored hat
: and the simple white dress. He tried
, to keep his eyes from telling her so.
: for he wanted to come again-and
a again.
: Violet walked to the gate with him
: when he was able to take his depart
ure. Mother and 1 will be glad to
@ see you at any time" she said, shyly
Thank you, 1 shall come, Miss
n Nash" he said, formally. It's a pecu-
! liar beginning for friendship. isn't
it?" he remarked
s Violet nodded, Goodbye" she