Congratulations to kbarton for finding this! From the sheet music at Indiana University:


Written expressly for and sung with great success by
Miss Roberta Keene, with the Great La Fayette Show
WHY I LOVE YOU
Words by Fred Mower, music by Roy L. Burtch.
Indianapolis: Wulschner Music Co., ©1902.

1. There's one who is far away.
Cruel fate keeps us apart,
Whom I love by night and day.
She's the idol of my heart.
In my dreams I see her loving face.
That dear face comes to me like a spell,
Full of beauty and so full of grace,
The one I love so well.

CHORUS: Tell me why the stars to shine.
Tell me why the ivy climbs.
Tell me why the sky's so blue,
Then I will tell why I love you.

2. Soon I'll be with her again.
From her lips I steal a kiss.
No more parting; no more pain.
Oh, what rapture! Oh, what bliss!
Pressing her unto my own true heart,
Whisper to her words of cheer,
That no more from her I'll have to part,
From her I love so dear.