The Argosy — page 343: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

324 WAITING.—A SONG. I AM waiting, oh, my darling! in the gloaming, As I waited in the gloaming long ago, When the soft spring-breeze, through hawthorn branches roaming, Waved their lovely fairy banners to and fro. J am waiting, but my face is worn with sorrow, And the gold has all departed from my hair ; Yet these faded cheeks will glow with joy to-morrow, When my darling showers his tender kisses there. I am waiting, but my eyes are dim with weeping, Oh, my dearest, through long years of bitter pain ; They have lost their youthful light, while fondly keeping All their loving, faithful watches still in vain. Thou wilt think of all my weariness and sadness, Looking down into their tearful depths, and then They will shine with all the old-time love and gladness, See thy well-loved face, and never weep again. I am waiting, in my robe of snowy whiteness— In that dear white robe my darling loved the best— And a wild red rose, in all its glowing brightness, I have twined within the kerchief o’er my breast. I have placed a tiny cluster of white daisies (Thou wilt love to see them nestling there, I know) In the sun-kissed locks that won thy fondest praises In that happy, happy spring-time iong ago. Ah, my dearest, I am listening in the gloaming To the welcome, welcome music of thy voice, And the fragrant breeze, through hawthorn branches roaming, Waves their fairy banners high, and shouts ‘‘ Rejoice ! ” Now my trembling hands are folded close in thine, love, And my longing eyes behold thy face at last, While I hear thee fondly whispering, “‘ Ever mine, love,” For the weary, weary waiting now is past ! FANNY FORRESTER. COMIC OOO <S) (E(©) im