Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-04-30
ASHES
BY ELEANOR c. KENYON.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)


The slow ticking of the old-fashion-
ed clock was the only sound that broke
the stiffness in the living room at the
home of Amos Chester.
Marion, his only daughter and
housekeeper, was seated comfortably
in the big armchair, glancing over the
daily papers, and look of resent
ment now and then stole over her usu-
ally placid face as she glanced at the
sleeping figure Of her father. Tonight
the paper held little attraction for
her. The pages which she had always
found so interesting and enjoyable
were passed lightly over. The DAY
had been a rather dull one-the over
hanging clouds of the past few days
were the harbingers of the storm that
had now settled, and the wind, increas'
ing in velocity, had made indoors q
safe haven.
: After her father had retired, Marion
settled herself before the open CRATE,
watching the tiny flames leaping here
and there and slowly and surely con-
suming the great pieces Of wood which
were fed to the fiery monster Just
so our dreams end in ashes-and ash
es of regret, most Of them," she said
aloud, as she carefully placed another
piece to be devoured.
How unjust it all was-the boys
had all married and had homes of
their own; while she-but she must
not bring to light the ashes that had
slumbered so long; and, brushing away
the tears that came to her eyes, she
drew her chair more closely to the
cracking flames and, lowering the
light, gave herself up in reverie.
The heat from the fire, coupled with
the stiffness of the room made her
drowsy, and she was soon wrapped
in the arms of Morpheus.
The smiling face of Doctor Bruce
peered from the ruddy glow; his arms
of welcome were stretched toward her,
and the lips that had uttered denuncl'
ations were now pleading her forgive
ness.
She saw him like miniSterins an
gel going from one cot to another,
giving help and cheer to the boys who
had so freely given their all.
The slamming of shutter aroused
her; the fire that had burned so bright
ly was now heap of ashes. and the
dream, the realization OF which was
part of the happy past, vas ended.
The shutter fixed. she made prepara-
tions to retire. Sleep could not be
wooed and from the darkness imagt
nary figures arose before her. That
same face, now so kind and indulgent
md then the other. for whose safety
her lips had remained scaled.
The morning had new dawning-
the terrific wind had abated and the
sky was flecked here and there hy
myriads of pink touches, and peepins
from the east was the sun, glorious
in it's refreshed beauty.
AS Marion gazed on the beautiful
picture new hope revived within her
Cheerily she commenced her house
hold tasks. and now and then snatch
es of song of other days arose from
her lips.
A violent pull at the bell startled
her and, rushing to the door, she found
herself gazing at the face of her
dream. Doctor Bruce. Bereft of
speech, welcome and gladness por'
traycd themselves on her face, and
Doctor Bruce knew that none had
usurped the place that had been in
the past so dear to him.
Leading the way to the room where
she had dreamed Of this happiness
which had now become reality, a
soft glow creeping to her cheeks, all
the past was forgotten in the JOY OF
the present as she listened once again
to the voice of by-gone days. He
told her how he had arrived the night
before and came over the road in a
comrades car so anxious was he to
aSk It6'E lOISlNtllcSS VI liiC pes'I' AA~
spoke of his wandering after the day
he thought her false to him; how he
had offered his services to his country;
of his work over there; he told her OF
meeting her cousin, from whom he
had heard the whole story. How she
had shielded him for his mothers sake
and had suffered uncomplainingly
all these years.
"NIarion, dear. Can you ever for
give me?
"When think what cad was
for ever doubling you" but her
hand was placed gently on his lips
and with face radiant with happi-
ness she nestled close beside him and
whispered, "Yes. Jack-and we each
have done oGr part"