Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1922-01-05
TWENTY YEARS
BY ALICE L. EAGAN
.4~~~S<~>~~~~~~~~~~ ~~<<~S~<~r~~~~
g. 1921, by Mcclure Newsparer Syndicat,

COiAciId Mdruon SAT Oy ner open
window, where the great maple tree
swayed back and forth in rhythm
with the old rocker. Her eyes were
closed, and the sound reminded her
of the surf on the shore. She had
thought she would like to go to the
theater, but her slim pocketboOk
would hardly permit of many lux
uries. SO she sat by the window till
the moon rose; then a sudden i'm
pulse came to her. She would walk
out with William-her William. 1t
would not cost anything, and they
could walk together as in the old
days, 20 years ago.
She arose hastily to dress, then
stopped to look at his picture. The
large, serious eyes, the smooth combed
/ hair of the square jaw-she caught
her breath quickly, while terrible
longing came over her. Those MOON
light nights-how he had loved them!
She went down the stairs quietly
so as not to be observed by the
boarders in the living room. On her
way, however, she heard Mrs. Morse.
the smiling widow, remark to the
new gentleman boarder:
eyes, it would be a delightful eve
ming to take walk"
She also observed, from a corner of
her eye, the hopeless expression of
the two maiden ladies, who sat apart
in melancholy silence. Was she
doomed to be like one Of them some
day? Would she have to listen to the
coquettish answers of the smiling
widows, while her own heart ached
in silence?
ooh, Williamr' she cried aloud, as
she turned the corner which led to-
ward the park, II need yOu!"
She had almost reached her destina-
ton in the park when a gentleman
addressed her, and, to her surprise,
she found it was the new boarder.
pardon me, but saw you passing
the living room on your way out, and
felt I would like to know you. It's
a lovely night; may walk along with
your"
Cornelia was puzzled. Where was
Mrs. Morse? Besides, this would spoil
her walk with William-that dear, i'm
aginary companionship. Before she
could frame fitting reply, he con-
tinued, not looking at her:
"YOu seem like a person Of good
discernment, so 1 am going to ask
your advice on a subject Of grave Inn
portance to me. They say wOman's
intuition is keener than a mans, and
somehow feel can trust YOU"
II am listening"
A moment passed before he spoke.
II am thinking of marrying" he said
uneasily.
eyes"
Perhaps you may know Mrs. Morse,
the widow up at the house?"
ooh, yes"
II have not told her-that isl
might say she seems Like a pleasant
person. At any rate, life might not
be quite so monOtonOuS."
Oh, the torture of it ALL Cornelia
was thinking.
How it brought the love Of William
back to her-all the sweet memory Of
the dear old days!
"But do you love herr asked she
venturing to look up at him. MAR
rage without love would be-would
be-"
She stopped suddenly, as he looked
n IN
his eyes which drew her to hi0-a hid
den something. What was 1t? She felt
a quick impulse to gaze at him-to
have the bright summer evening
lengthen on-on-to have no end
to-
What was she thinking2 This
stranger-almost engaged to another
and William, the one she loved! We're
her thoughts straying from him? She
felt the color mounting to her pale
cheeks.
"Cornelia little Cornelia -
In wild ecstasy of joy she heard
her name called by this stranger.
She startled. He had placed his
her to look at him. Again the sense
Of fascination held her; of course VIII
liam was held deep in her heart-but,
somehow, this man little choking
sob caught her breath, then slowly
without her own volition, she reached
up and touched his face. scanning his
features as If searching for some
thing long dead
Then a look of great Joy came over
her face, and she asked In tones Of
awe:
Answer me, please. o, answer me,
Is it WflliamT
She waited, it seemed life time,
for him to speak, while the charm Of
his personality held her in a trance.
Then he answered:
my love, 1t is 20 years"
Norway Granite.
Granite is one Of the exports 81
Norway, and it ships it to many coun-