Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-02-18
LILACS
BY NELLIE A. FAIRBANKS.
'2l. BY Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
,SgSeSgS esgsesgsS


Bill Curtis vigorously applied the old
stubby brush broom to his well-worn
suit, then stopped for q moment to
gaze out across the great green fields.
| For lG years, weather permitting,
Bill had watched and loved this time
Of day, when the sun was casting its
last slantiVg rays.
Tonight he was leaving the home he
loved so well and the man who had
shared his home and with whom he
had worked for l6 years. That was
the hard part of going. Something
that looked suspiciously like tears
welled up In his honest blue eyes. and
lie gaZcd for q minute ut the man at
the sink. doing up the supper dishes.
AS n rule this man was laxative, but
tonight he was strangely silent.
The nrduous task Of making an old
suit look something like new was final
ly completed and Bill stepped out on
the little platform that served as n
piazza. He looked sadly ut the two
empty arm chairs
AT the end OF two days journey
l will be with Marcia again." and
once more he could see the little white
clad figure as he left her that last
evening. Again he could hear the
soft sobbing rs she begged him not
to be away long. and Bill held her
close as whispered:
when have made the little fortune
l have dreamed Of. then will come
bnck to you. And when l do come
back, Marcia, 1t will be in liluc-time,
just like 1t is today"
The first few weeks had been un-
bearable to Bill; then ms the months
and years passed lie fell into that
rut of being perfectly satisfied with
working hard all day and spending
the long evenings with his faithful
companion and his pipe ..... Pep
His little pile Of money grew big
ger each year until he ut last decided
1t was time to go back to the old home
and Marcia. His heart beat faster
ms he pictured the little vision In white,
and he sighed happily rs he again
entered the little cottage. But his
spirits dropped when he beheld Jim,
sitting with his head resting in his
two hands, picture of despair. Go
ing over, he placed his hand on Jiln's
shoulder and said:
we've spent some very happy years
here, old scout hut now l must be
going back to Marcia. wish you
could see her, Jim-so small, with
wavy treSSes and"
YES. but 1G years makes IN awful
difference, old man." Jim answered.
Yes, yes" Bill murmured, half alb.
sently; "in some people, but not Mar
cia."
At last the time came when the
comrades parted. Jim drove Bill over
the two miles to the railroad station,
and they silently pressed each other
hand, for neither could speak just
then.
jim drove back to the lonely cot
taSc, seated himself in his arm chair
beside the vacant one, and when the
Di;s 1li!l moon arose its beams fell on
one lonely figure. and an empty chair.
In the meantime the train sped on
towards l'illS old home and Marcia.
Ills Journey ended at noon two days
later. but rs Bill felt terribly roman
tic. he waited until the sun was set.
ting, then Marcia must see him first
BY the lilac bush near her door. AS
he ncarrd the house he wished he had
kept corresponding uil these years
but then. he felt sure Marcia loved
MIN enough to watch and wait for
hin even though it was sixteen years
lie was almost at the gate when Il
sudden fear took possession Of him
Things did not look just right. What
II Marcia had gone away, or had died
but no, he must put such thoughts
away. AT the gate Il piercing scream
reached his ear-just as he was by
the lilac tree, where Marcia must see
him tirst--and two dirty-faced boys
came rushing around the corner OF the
house, the larger one finally overtak-
Ing the other, and they immedIa tely
started fist fight.
The door Of the house opened quick
iy. and woman. one who would cas-
iIy tip the scales Mt two hundred, mp
peared in n soled gingham dress,
sleeves rolled to her elbows, exhibit
Ing pair Of fat red arms thickIy COW
cred with white suds, and the equally
red face showed plainly she had just
emerged from the family washtub.
Bill rubbed his eyes and looked
again. There might just have been
an ordinary double chin attached to
that face, but Bill could swear nc saw
four. Hc also noticed the thin. hair
! gray locks. twisted into a little hnr.I