The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-05-20
THROUGH THE
YEARS
By GEORGE E. COBB


honor Of child of ten. Most of those
attending the function were about, or
under that age, but Effe Sands and
Bertram Norris, 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 inc!pien Swains
spelled out the gushing sentiments
printed in glaring red upon the white
surfaces. Very tinidiy Eertram pre-
Sented one To Ellie. reading: "Will
you b" my friend" ard Ellie selected
for reply the u0n-co:nmitial Senti-
ment. e! like your company.
Tie party was breaking up when
Bprlram 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 meg" read the heart
shaped confectiOn with which he pre-
sented her, and Ef1ie 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
ers. She, however, directed a 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 luckl0s
swain. Bertram was keen to construe
1t. He glided directly behind her. Her
fingers Enclosed, revealing lo1enge
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 W 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 Efie 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
a 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 pretty girlish note
In reply, full of little nothings, but
showing that Efie had not forgotten
him.
It became a 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 it was fond mem.
ory for Bertram to picture the idol
of his boyhood dreams grown into q
young lady, and when she sent him
her photograph he treasured 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 member Of
the legal bar, thus equipped to meet
the mature responsibilities Of life, he
received letter from Efie 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, 1T
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
now? 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 1t favor
of fate that was reassuring, as at the
party during the evening he and Eh1e
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'
tion.
"Is it not stranger" spoke Efie| 1T
was six years ago that you and +"
"Were boy and girl, in this same
| snot ~ added Bprtram leaning closer