The Lamar register., 1920-05-12
THROUGH THE
YEARS
BY GEORGE E. COBB

Copyright. 1890. Western Newspaper Union.)
She was twelve, and he fourteen.
and 1t was a 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 swains
spelled out the gushing sentiments
printed In glaring red upon the white
surfaces. Very timidly Bertram pre-
sented one to Effie, reading: "Will
you be my friend" and Effie selected
for a reply the non-committal senti-
ment. IL like your company"
The party was breaking up, when
Bertram came across Enis in a cur
tanned niche. and boldly determined
to give expression to the promptings
Of his ardent heart before they sepa-
rated.
'Wlll you kiss me7" read the heart
shaped confection with which he pre-
sented her, and Effie 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. Ef-
fie, startled. drew back from the rapt,
eagerly expectant face of her youthful
suitor and advanced to meet the 9TH
n ~
glance over her shoulder at Bertram
intensely 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
1t. He glided directly behind her. Her
fingers unclosed, revealing a lozenge
evidently treasured for the occasion.
She slipped II into Bertram's hand
and then went away.
II love you" 1t read, and Bertram.
the boy. felt a sudden surging of de
liclous 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 flame,
when he received pretty girlish note
in reply, full of little nothlngs. but
showing that EfIie had not forgotten
him.
II became great pleasure to Ber-
tram to thus begin correspondence
that alleviated the tedium Of the four
succeeding years. The mutual mis-
sives never went beyond the bounds
OF friendship, but 1t was n fond men,
ory 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 eK-
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
tained his diploma as n member of
the legal bar, thus equipped to meet
the mature responsibilities of life, he
received a letter from EfTie glowing
with pride and pleasure over her own
graduation at the seminary at Rock
ton. She told of II party that was to
he given in her honor. And what do
! YOU thinkf" she wrote vivaciously. 1T