The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1919-01-08
THE veneer OF THE YEARS
BY WALTER CREEP.

ment, only the continuous routine.
am going where I shall be better
appreciated than 1 am here. 1 owe
It to myself and to you.'
Eyes, Merlin, know how you
look at IT, She wis speaking
earnestly. But you have never
been out in the world and are igno-
rant Of the ways of men. You have
never felt the sting OF scorn, the
harshness of rebuke or the curse of
failure. It will not be there like It
is here where every one is kind to
you. There will be thousand
temptations confront you Of which
you do not dream now"
But can overcome any tempta-
tion," he declared confidently.
Perhaps you think So" he said i,
her big brown eyes swimming in
tears, "but when you are far away
from home and-me-it will be
different. And on the other hand,
II success and fame should be yours,
you will entirely forget the little
girl who is waiting for you down in
Kentucky"
Never doubt my sincerely, dear
Samantha" He spoke consolingly,
looking deep into her dark brown
eyes," Never doubt that shall
return some day." he continued"
and when do it will be to claim
the plaudits Of my old companions.
Will you be waiting for me-will
you be true till I return?"
She smiled family but did not
answer. AS the moments sped by
she stood there, the mellow sun
light caressing the auburn ringlets
of her hair; and as Merlin locked
deep into her eyes a great feeling of
love stole over him, a feeling that
pehaps he was doing her wrong in
leaving her thus alone after being
her closest friend for so many
years.
Finally she stepped quietly to the
bush and pulled a lilac blossom
which she held put to him. take
this, Merlin," she said softly, land
as long as you keep it be trues
Keep it near you and whenever you
look at it think of me and you will
know that 1 am faithful"
He took the flower from her hand
and held it for some time, shifting
the fragrant aroma. Then he
broke blossom from the bush and
placed it in the folds of her hair.
LET this be the pledge of the IL
&C, never be broken while the lilacs
bloom. This flower will remind.
you of me, and wherever I may be
l shall keep my blossom next to my
heart" He reached for her hand,
brought it to his lips and gently
kissed the white fingers. Dear
little girl, be true" he whispered.
Together they wandered back
alclg the path, humming an old
love tune. At the gate they stopp-
ed for few last words that botr
were 10th to speak. A ,sorrowful
silence seemed to hang like a cur
tain over their spirits. Even ma
ture was typical. The air was still
and balmy; the wild chattering of
homing birds came up from the
glens and hollows. The sun dipped
slowly down, down, coloring, tint
ing, changing the distant noun
tain-tops, until the light faded slow
ly from the sky and twilight clasp
ed the world in its calm embrace.
The sounds of rural life were sweet
in their ears: the farmers calling
home the cattle. the answering low
OF the returning herds and the
silvery tinkle of their bells resound-
ing. Grayer and deeper became
the twilight until the mountains
were darkly silhouetted az,
the west, and like a flashing bea-
con the vesper Star appeared in the
sombre heavens.
Merlin took her hand once more
In his and pressed it lightly. Good
bye" he whispered and could say
nothing more. Tenderly she look
ed at him with her great tear-flled
eyes. Goodbye" she said sorrow
fully. He walked rapidly away.
Once he looked back and saw that
she was softly crying as she enter
ed the house.
Go be continued)