The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-06-10
THROUGH THE
YEARS
By GEORGE E. COBB

Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper UnionD
She was twelve. and he fourteen.
and it was birthday party given in
honor of child of ten. Most of those
attending the function were about, or
under that age. but Ellie Sands and
Bertram Morris, both entered fully in
TO the spirit Of the occasion.
The tiny debutante of the occasion
had distributed a bowl of Old-faShiOned
candy lozenges. SO dear 10 the child
ish heart, and mcipieut SWANS
spelled out the gushing sentiments
printed in glaring red upon the white
surfaces. Very timidly Bcrtram pre-
scented one TO Ellie, reading: VIII
you be my friend" and Ellie selected
for a reply the nOn-COmmittal Senti-
ment, 81 like your company"
The party was breaking W. when
Bertram came across Ellie in cur
tanned niche and boldly determined
to give expression to the promptings
OF his ardent heart before they sepa-
rated.
"Will you kiss me?" read the heart
SldltAu CbIltdllbl Will W III IlC-
scented her, and Ellie flushed and quiv-
cred and leaned her velvety cheek
towards him, her eyes sparkling bright.
Just then her name was called out and
two girl friends. seeking her, broke in
upon the sccluSion of the niche. Eff
fie, startled, drew back from the rapt,
eagerly eXpectant face Of her youthful
. ~ 9TH
ers. She, however, directed swift
glance over her shoulder at Bertram
intensely expressive of disappointment.
/ Then, coming to pause before the
/ two girls, she put one, claSped, hand
/ behind her.
/ The dainty member described an
unmistakable signal to her luCkless
swain. Bertram was keen to cOnstrue
/ il. He glided directly behind her. Her
fingers Enclosed, revealing a lOZenge
evidently treasured for the occasion.
She slipped it into Bertram's hand
and then went away.
81 love you" 1t read, and Bertram,
the boy, felt q sudden surging of de-
licious emotion within his being that
stayed with him for days. and after
that was a memory, sweet, innocent,
abiding for years.
Bertram's father and mother moved
away from ROcktOn within a month
and he saw Effie only once or twice
during that period, and then in the
company Of others upon the street.
He felt lonesome and hOmesick amid
new scenes until he became interested
in resumed school duties. 1t was two
years later, when he graduated into
higher educational phase. The i'm
pulse came upon him to write to his
little friend of old, proudly telling of
being awarded recognition as the
youngest and most proficient Of his
class. The smoldering fire of his
early love was famed into vivid fame,
when he received a pretty girlish note
in reply, full of little nothings, but
showing that Effie had not forgotten
him.
1t became a great pleasure to Ber-
tram to thus begin a correspondence
that alleviated the tedium of the four
succeeding years. The mutual mis-
sives never went beyond the bounds
of friendship, but ii was fond men,
DRY for Bertram to picture the idol
of his boyhOod dreams grown into a
young lady, and when she sent him
her photograph he treasured a second
priced memento of his only love ex-
perience, the first being the lozenge,
so surreptitiOusly, but consolingly
passed to him that memorable evening
in the long ago.
The day that Bertram Morris OBJ
tanned his diploma as a member Of
the legal bar, thus equipped to meet
the mature responsibilities Of life, he
received letter from Effie glowing
with pride and pleasure over her own
graduation at the seminary at Rock
! ton. She told of party that was to
be given in her honor. "And what do
you Think" she wrote vivaciously, "It
is to be at the home Of Eleanor Dwy-
|, er, don't you remember, Bertram,
where we last met and where we were
the same good friends that we are
. nOw2 OF course you can't come all
that way just TO see me. but Eleanor
insists she shall send you an invita-
ton, anyway"
The same arrived. A legacy from
an aunt had given Bertram favorable
income, and there was no question Of
sparing the money for the trip he at
once meditated. He voted ii a favor
, of fate that was reassuring, az at the
!, party during the evening he and Effie
= found themselves in the same retired
niche where their early mutual liking
:, had found its birth. Their eyes met
!, in mutual comprehension Of the situa-
), ton.
q "Is it not stranger spoke Fife. "It
a was six years ago that you and +"
n "Were boy and girl, in this same
h. spotr' added Bertram, leaning closer
,r towards her. 81 wish to show you
IS something, Effie," and from an inner
pocket, wrapped in a fragment Of silk,
,s he drew forth and revealed the II
+ love you" lOzenge he had preserved
N through the years.
n. Effie blushed and iuttered as he
Sc caught he hand in his own. 81 asked