Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-08-16
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.


in a gay chattering procession-girls
with laurel wreathed hats, young men
bearing shawls and empty baskets, a
matron or two; last of all Stephen
FELTON,, child on either side of him,
and in his arms little Nanny Forsythe
half asleep. Wherever Stephen went
children followed, led by attraction IL
resistible as that which draws iron fill
ings to the magnet. Grown people
could not understand this attraction,
but the little ones never mistOok it..
Sleepy as she was, Nanny's small hand
kept patting his shoulder as they went
along, and her voice cooed words of
drowsy endearment which made Ste
phen smile, gloomy as he felt that day.
Each cheerful reply to the children $
questions cost an effort; but he spoke
cheerily all the same, and tried to keep
his eyes from wandering forward to
where Captain Hallett walked by the
side of Milly Graves, with his hand
some head very near hers, and his
voice murmuring low sentences inau-
dible to the rest of the party. Many
chances We're sent back at this couple
from those in advance, for Ned Hallett
was the novelty of the moment, hero
and stranger; and the girls, who
were only too well disposed to pull
caps for him, thought it "quite too
bad of Milly to absorb his attentions
as she had done all day.
But, after all, what could Milly,
what could any girl, do, when an all
conquering captain takes up his posi-
ton at her side in early morning and
never leaves it till late afternoon? 1t
is not in girl nature to resist such
tribute and Stephanie De Witt, in
front, was partly justified in calling it
"a desperate Irritation" although /
fear the pout with which she spoke was
due rather to amour prOpre than out
ragged morals. But on Milly's side it
was not all Irritation. For all her
merry, saucy ways, she was a sensitive,
credulous creature. just the woman to
give ''gold for dust" and stake her all
in that unequal barter SO common in
this world of misunderstood values.
Her fair cheeks were flushed and
her blue eyes full of shy excitement us
they walked along, talking about
dear me, who do people talk about
when they are young and of differing
sexes? Capt. Hallett's fine eyes said
more than his tongue; his martial
mustache seemed to give point and
value to mere nothings. He carried a
1.-the little cane, with which he en-
phasized his sentences; now cutting
the air, now beheading mullen, in a
way which Milly thought fascinating.
And then Love Lane was such pref
ty spot, the very place to be-eloquent
In. Its winding turns were hedged
with fragrant growths, wOodbine,
brier, sweet-fern, and bay. Overhead
the trees met and clasped in shady
arches. Here and there pink honey
suckle glinted in the network of green,
or trail of shimmering clematis. The
pure primrose light of a cloudless sun
set sifted down through the canopy Of
houghS, a light breeze stirred. full Of
delicious smells. 1t was like an even
ing in fairy-land.
Suddenly turning brought them to
tern-clad bank, against which, set in
framework of tremulous verdure,
stood one rose, of perfect wild wood
PINK, poised at tip of a cluster of vivid
leaves. 1t was like an enchanted
queen, Milly thought.
How beautiful" she cried; but
even as the words left her lips the
restless cane flew through the air,
licked the rose from its stem, and sent
II INTO the dusty road, a little whirl-
WIND of broken leaves accompanying
It's fall.
" What a PITY she said, involun-
tarilv.
It's only a wild rose, you know"
surprised.
But don't you like wild roses 2"
On, yes but there are so many of
them 1t Is hardly worth while to waste
sentiment on a single one;" and the
captain showed his fine teeth in a
smile which was the least bit cruel.
Miliy sighed. and cast regretful
look behind. Her gentle nature felt
Tor the fair, despoied thing. But.
AFTER all, there mere plenty of wild
roses, as Capt. Hallett had said. and
presently she forgot her sympathy and
Us cause. Anotherturning in the lane
brought them to the village outskirts
ana 10 Squire Aliens gate. where the
rest OF the party Were waiting. There
were good-by's TO say. divisions to
make. Mrs Allen was intent on Sc
curing to each person his or her own
basket, Kitty FELTON, was counting tea
spoons, stephania hunting for a miss