Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-06-10
THROUGH THE
YEARS
BY GEORGE E. COBB

She was twelve, and he fourteen,
and it was birthday party given in
honor of a child of ten. Most of those
attending the function were about, or
under that age, but Effie Sands and
Bertram Morris, both entered fully in
TO the spirit of the occasion.
The tiny debutante of the occasion
had distributed bowl of old-fashioned
candy lozenges, so dear to the child
ish heart and incipient SWANS
spelled out the gushing sentiments
printed in glaring red upon the white
surfaces. Very timidly Bertram pre-
sented one TO Efiie. reading: "Will
you be my friend" and Eftie selected
for a reply the non-committal sent-
ment. II like your company"
The party was breaking up, when
Bertram came across Fife 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
shaped confection with which he pre-
scented her, and Ehie 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 Seclusion of the niche. Eff
fie, startled, drew back from the rapt,
eagerly expectant face of her youthful
sutton and advanced to meet the 9TH
ers. She, however, directed swift
glance over her shoulder at Bertram
intenAely expressive of disappointment.
Then, coming to a 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
it, He glided directly behind her. Her
fingers Enclosed, revealing lozenge
evidently treasured for the occasion.
She slipped it into Bertram's hand
and then went away.
u love you" it read, and Bertram,
the boy, felt a 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 Efiie 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 inn
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 flame,
when he received pretty girlish note
in reply, fun of little nothings, but
showing that Effie had not forgotten
him.
1t became "A great pleasure to Ber-
tram TO thus begin n correspondence
that alleviated the tedium of the four
succeeding years The mutual mis-
sives never went beyond the bounds
of friendship, but it 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-
perlence, 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 a letter from Effie glowing
with pride and pleasure over her own
graduation at the seminary at Rock
ton. She told of a party that was to
be given in her honor. "And what do
you thinkf' she wrote vivaciously, at
is to be at the home of Eleanor Dwy-
err don't you remember, Bertram,
where we last met and where we were
the same good friends that we are
now? or 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 it favor
OF fate that was reassuring. as at the
party during the evening he and Fife
found themselves in the same retired
niche where their early mutual liking
had found it's birth Their eyes met
~ mutual comprehension of the situa-
tion.
Is il not stranger spoke Efie. ut
was SIX years ago that you and +"
Were boy and girl, IN this same
spotT added Bertram. leaning closer
towards her Il wish to show Won
something. Efie," and from an inner
pocket wrapped In fragment Of silk.
he drew forth and revealed the q
love you. lozenge he had preserved
through the years
Etiie blushed and 1uttered as he
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