Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-08-06
AND LYRlCS{
BY GERTRUDE BURNAAM.


90. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicateD
Come down to Kew in lilac time. in
lilac time.
1t isn't far from London"
The lifting refrain persisted in the
mind Of girl who stood irresolutely
upon the London pavement one spring
morning, when even that. dingy city
was being afforded glimpse of blue
sky. AT the corner barrel organ was
grinding out its tunes to appreciutivc
groups VI dancing children.
Well, why not go down to Kew? 1t
really wasn't far from London" and
now that the war was over she would
soon leave England for America and
the opportunity would be gone. With
sudden decision she hailed q passing
bus and started on the journey to Kew
with the haunting refrain still in her
mind.
Lilacs. that was the magic word
Lilacs. white and purple. how lovingly
they clustered about the little New
England home.
Her eyes clouded with sudden
mist. She saw again two figures
standing by the bushes, 1.-the. sturdy
lad In khaki, and girl in lilac
frock who raised shy. adorfng eyes
to meet his. The heavy odors of the
white and purple glory with which
he had heaped her arms filled the air
during those last sacred moments be-
fore his departure for France. There
were caresses and promises, but few
tears. for the girl was one Of race
who unfiinchingly sent their best to
fight for liberty under the banners of
the United States, and the man would
have scorned to show emotion.
After his departure she had written
him again and again. At first the re-
plies were received as regularly as
could be expected, then had come ST.
lence, unbroken silence. All attempts
to locate him had been In vain and
the corroding agony Of suspense grew
upon her. No one had heard and his
name appeared on no prisoner or cas-
ualty list.
Finally she had volunteered as
Red Cross nurse for foreign service.
personal sorrow. Now her work was
over and she was going home. Going
home. to what?
With Il start she came to herself
The bus had reached Kensington. and
Kew Gardens lay before her. She
alighted and walked slowly along. The
birds were singing and their sweet
notes were all that broke the silence.
The peace of il stole over her and she
sank down on IL bench. halfhidden
among the lilac bushes. and gave her
self up to bitter-swect memories.
A man wearing the silver bars Of
first lieutenant in the service of the
United States stood beside n London
bookstnll. idly turning the leaves of
book OF poems. His eyes caught
the following lines:
"Comc down 10 Kew in lilac time, in
lilac time.
1t isn't far from London"
He read absorbedly to the end Of
| he poem, then rc-rcad It. Turning
with sudden decision he asked the
bookseller how he could reach Kew.
| The bookseller gave him the necessary
! directions and advised him 10 60 by.
all means to see the famed beauty of
the gardens.
| The young man thanked him and
purchased the book of poems. The
next bus that rumbled along toward
Kensington found him on its top, i'm
mcrsed in deep thought. His mind
| Ga, t..
village which he had not seen for
over year There stood Il farm house
| with clustering white and lavender H.
! lac bushes. and beside them girl in
Il frock to match, her laughing face
bent over the lovely blooms.
He swung off the bus at Kew and
strolled down the winding paths. en-
| joying the rustic solitude to the ut
most. llc turned corner and came
upon the Nlacs filling the air with
magic sweetness. This was familiar,
! this was home. and all that was need
| ed to complete the picture was the
| girl, looking up ut him with the love
light shining in the depths of her eyes.
Still held by the enchantmcnt of his
| dream, he turned and saw girl sit
| ting on one of the garden benches
with bowed head. AS he looked she
! raised her head and he saw her face
| AS recognition came he swiftly
stretched out his arms and she flew
| to them like q homing bird, too happy
| to be surprised. SO swiftly had the
dreams of both become reality that
there was no consciousness of abrupt
| transition.
One hour later q squirrel skipped
out from behind the bushes ana cooked
| his head to one side. He was watch