I remember--do you?--the remarkable sky light That flooded the heavens one evening in May, How together we talked _tete-a-tete_ in the twilight, When the glow of the sunset had faded away. Then you showed me your album. I looked at its pages. With yourself as my guide and companion went through Its contents--there were people of all sorts and ages, But the portrait I fancied the most was--of you. And you saw that I did. Which perhaps was the reason Of your "No!" when I asked "May I have it?" You swore You were going to be shot at the close of the season, And you couldn't spare that, as there weren't any more. But at length I prevailed, or at least you relented, After ever so many excuses--in fine We agreed to a compact, you only consented On condition I gave you a portrait of mine. Well, I promised, of course. And I write you these verses With your face--you'll forgive me--quite close to my own. There's a charm in your look that completely disperses All my cares in a way that is yours, dear, alone. And although I am pleased, since I won in the end--a More ridiculous bargain has never, I vow, Been arranged than a picture of pretty MELENDA, In exchange for the photograph sent to you now. We did not meet again through some horrible blunder, Which a merciless Fate must be asked to explain, And I sometimes sit smoking, and wearily wonder If I ever _am_ destined to see you again. Yet wherever the future may possibly find you, To this final request do not answer me Nay, When I ask that this gift of myself may remind you Of the friend who was with you that evening in May. * * * * * [Illustration: BREAKING THE ICE. SCENE--_Public Drawing-room of Hotel in the Engadine._ _The Hon. Mrs. Snebbington_ (_to Fair Stranger_), "ENGLISH PEOPLE ARE SO UNSOCIABLE, AND NEVER SPEAK TO EACH OTHER WITHOUT AN INTRODUCTION. I ALWAYS MAKE A POINT OF BEING FRIENDLY WITH PEOPLE STAYING AT THE SAME HOTEL. ONE NEED NEVER KNOW THEM AFTERWARDS!"] * * * * * ADVANCING YEARS. (_HOW IT STRIKES A CONTEMPORARY._) ["Owing to advancing years, Mr. ---- has been compelled to resign his position as ----" _Extract from any Daily Paper_."] Advancing years! It cannot be. What, JACK, the boy I've known--God bless me! Why yes, it was in '43 That first we met, and--since you press me-- The time has sped without my knowledge, That's close on fifty years ago; Like some deep river's silent flow, Since JACK and I first met at College. 'Twas on a cloudy Autumn day. Fast fading into misty twilight; The freshmen, as they trooped to pray, Stepped bolder in the evening's shy light. As yet we did not break the rules In which the College deans immesh men, We fledglings from a score of schools, That far October's brood of freshmen.