The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-10-03

breath. He had not seen the st.
Charles since his brother Hubert's
wedding party went to New Orleans.
thirty, forty. or was It forty-five years
back?
II was the fashion then for other
young folk to accompany the newly
married ones on their wedding jour-
ney. He and Marie Balquet had been
Of the party--brown-eyed Marie.
whose grace and vivacity had enchant-
ed his heart, and of whom. even now.
when he was old-sixty- nine-he
could not think without a quickening
of hts pulses.
Their quarrel was over a red rose
he had given her; that she had taken
from her belt and lightly presented to
the best mana mere nothing, when
one looked back.
Oh, to go back home where he had
known her-once more to see the old
cypress trees under which he had kiss
ed her; to gather handful of laven-
der water-hyacinths from the bayou,
as they had so often done together in
the old Neutrality-suspicious. they sent
him to the Home for Old Men!
They've old mems homes In Louisi-
ana as well as here" Allen murmured
an hour later as he bridled Major, his
horse. Il shall put by one hundred
Of the two hundred Felix Sommers
will. give me for Major to pay the ad-
mission fee, Toto an old mems home
In my own state, and tomorrow shall
go home"
In the late afternoon two days later
the decorators, working In the parlors
of the st. Charles hotel in preparation
for great reception that was to fol-
low the wedding of a young English
man to a city belle, saw an old man
stop before an old-time mirror.
Its the very same glass;" the old
gentleman murmured, tapping the face
of the great mirror, that held near
its frame flaw or two, where with
the years the quicksilver had begun to
slip, "the very same that over my
shoulder showed me the little affair
of the rose. Wicked thing, why have
they kept your"
He'd fit on Royal" observed one
Of the decorators to a companion.
Allen heard him.
I'm in the way here" he thought;
"Ill go down on Royal and look at
the curios."
On the narrow old street, at the door
Of the largest antique shop. Allen stood
aside to let little white haired lady,
with brown eyes that were sparklingly
bright, enter before him.
II had almost forgotten the old gold
chain l had intended for one of my
granddaughter's wedding gifts" she
said to the proprietor. LET me see
the chains quickly, please; I've but
few minutes to spare. Indeed. ought
to be at home now, with but three
hours between me and losing my all I"
And Celeste Is going to England
without your The antique dealer
spoke with the air Of an old friend.
"Yes," she faltered. Godfrey In
sists that go with them, but I'm too
old to be transplanted. must stay
on here In my home, alone and lonely,
until am called"
1T is not as though you were poor"
the man consOled her.
NO" she answered.; "if were that
LESSEE would provide. But oh, Re
mond, what will my fortune and my
great house be to me when have no
one I love to keep me company"
Allen could bear no more. Stun
bling forward, he laid gentle hand
on her shoulder "Marie-little one
look at mel" he cried. "Have you
forgotten Allen?"
"Come here, Sophy," Herndon Cope
land, standing by his mail box, called
to his wife few days later. "Read
these will your
"These" were the notice Of the mar
riage of Allen Clifford to Mrs. Marie
Balquet Joubert, of New Orleans, and
a letter
my dear nephew" ran the letters
old-fashioned writing 81 left you to
go to an old mems home but on my
way i found 1t was my joyous priv
ilege to go to an old lady's instead"
III