Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1918-12-28
Squaw-Berries
~
By AGNES q. BRoGAN


The brisk walk brought the color
tingling to James lately too-pale
cheeks; 1t also loosened shining
strand or two of hair that had grown
to fashion Of neat preciseness.
With strange and sudden impulse
she turned from the country roadway
down tree-bordered lane to the ra-
vine. How long it had been since she,
fun-lOving girl. had followed this
path of wood-fragrant charm, in
search Of bright red berries. clustering
among their shining green leaves in
the moss underfoot. Or, had the
search for strawberries been but a
youthful excuse for an afternoon in
his company? she wondered. So hap
py. so care-free they had been togeth-
er. the tall, bright-faced lad. all en-
thusiasm in planning his future,
or "our future" as he had called 1t. and
she, released for an hour or two from
the daily care OF her invalid mother.
Bending. she would gather the berries
from their hiding place beneath the
dead leaves, as she listened to that
old. old story whose charm is ever
new. "And when come back rich
and famous" he would say. I'VE shall
be married. Jane Rose"
"Jane Rose" She loved the name as
It fell from his lips. "Jane" was too
plain for his ''rose-girl." he told her.
and the added name seemed n caress.
D.,k vcuo esrI,aI rs Sba +ho,roht If tho
years Of separation. necessary. II he
were to become the great artist that
his ambition craved. Never for mo-
fuent did she doubt his success, even
now. Wonderful were his unframed
sketches Of wood and valley. beautiful
fancies. too, filled his mind.
"Tlle dead leaves and the snow" he
told her Signify the discouragements
and hardness of life, while beneath
them grow the bright berries Of hope"
"And love-" Jane Rose had added tim
Idly, "for love can live through every
encouragement" The young man had
turned away impatiently at that, for
her allegiance to the invalid mother
was a never-forgOtten grievance. Had
It not been for the mothers exacting
presence. Jane herself would have
travelled with him across the ocean to
the land of adventure, and realized
ambition. So-he had gone away.
Far as her eye could see his graceful,
swinging figure Jane watched him
down the road to the station. And
tn va 0rc
ago--ten long years and until this
threatening winter day, james feet
had never again followed the rayine
path to the wood.
At first letters had come regularly
from her lover; then they had grown
further apart, and ceased altogether.
Often she thought Of him. this alb
sent lover, and without bitterness.
Then came the time when her care
was no longer needed. Quite alone.
Jane prepared her evening meal and
set place at her table for one. Alone,
she sat at evening looking down the
long road to the village, for young
friends had departed or made newer
homes for themselves, while Jane had
been "busy," occupied with task OF
love which allowed no respite.
"Ili go away" Jane murmured pas
sionately: IT will see the world that
claimed him. Il will not stay forever
and ever on lonely hillside"
AS If to give incentive to her deci-
sion, Jane read a sentence in the pa
per which came daily from the city.
"NIr. John Allen Gordon" announced
the society column, 'has returned from
abroad" "A1r. John Allen Gordon"
she smiled TREMENDOUSLY. Would he
recognize the village friends who still
lovingly referred to him as sack"
Jane Rose fell to- dreaming, then. of
the home he might now have. and the
wife, perhaps, and 1t seemed all at
once that the four walls of the little
home room were pressing down upon
her. and she must-must get away.
After that, preparations brought
new and delightful excitement. She
would take the money saved from the
renting of the old barn for neigh
boris automobile, and spend it all in a
short city vacation. Such extrava-.
gance seemed sin, but this new sense
of recklessness was exhilarating.
James eyes sparkled with an old light
as she viewed the mail order" trav-
cling suit. with accompanying hat,
gloves and shoes. Gray she had chos-
en- for each article, silvery, beauti-
tul gray.
Jane was enchanted. She blushed
with guilty vanity as she regarded her.
self in the mirror. Ten years, even
in the filling of hot-water bottles. had
been most kind. Her spirits sank lit
tie as she considered that she had not
one acquaintance in the big city. But
she knew of the best hotels.
She glanced around the room appre-
hensively. hoping that the time of lux
uriating would not spoil her for the
coming back And as the train rushed
cityward she wondered If it could be
that two people parted ten years ago
might, by any possibility of chance.
meet on public city street.