The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-08-10
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.

They were walking up Glove lane
in gay, chattering procession-girls
with laurel wreathed hats, young
men bearing shawls and empty baskets,
a matron or two; last of all Stephen Eel
ton, child on either side of him, and
in his arms little Nanny Forsythe hall
asleep. Wherever Stephen went chill
dren followed, led by attractions ire
sistible as that which draws iron filings
to the magnet. Grown people could not
understand this attraction, but the little
ones never mistook about it. Sleepy as
she was, Nanny's small hand kept pat.
ting his shoulder as they went along,
and her voice cooed words of drowsy Ell.
dearment which made Stephen smile,
gloomy as lie felt that day. Each cheer
full reply to the children's questions cost
an effort; but he spoke oheerily all the
same, and tried to keep his eyes from
wandering forward to whore Captain
Hallett walked by the side of Milly
Graves, with his handsome head very
near hers, and his voice murmuring low
sentences inaudible to the rest Of the
party. Many glances were sent back at
this couple from those in advance, for
Ned Hallett was the novelty of the mo-
nent, a hero and stranger; and the
girls, who were only too well disposed
to phil caps for him, thought it "quite
too bad" of EIilly to absorb tis atten-
tons as she had done all day.
But, after all, what could Milly, what
could any girl, do, when an all conquer
ing captain takes up his position 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 fir
tation," although 1 fear the pout with
which she SPOKE was due rather to
amour 2orOpre than outraged morals.
But on Milly's side it was not all firta-
tion. 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 misunder-
stood values.
Her cheeks were flushed and her blue
eyes full of shy excitement as they walk
ed along, talking about-dear me, who
do people talk about when they are
yonng and of differing sexes ? Captain
Hallett's fine eyes said more than his
tongue his martial mustachs seemed to
give point and value to mere nothings.
He carried 1.-the little cane, with which
he emphasized his sentences now cut
ting the air, now beheading a mullen,
in way which Milly thought fascinat-
ing. And then Love lane was such a
pretty spot to be-eloquent in. It's
winding turns wero hedged with fragrant
growths, woodbine, brier, sweet-fern,
h.
clasped in shady arches. Hero and
there pine honeysuckle gliuted in the
network Of green, or a trail of simmer
ing olematis. The pure primrose light
of a cloudless sunset sifted down through
the canopy Of boughs, light breeze
stirred, full of delicious smells. II was
like au evening in fairyland.
Suddenly turning brought them to
q fern clad bank, against which, set in
framework of tremulous verdure, stood
one rose, of perfect wild wood pink,
poised at tip of 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 rest
less cane flew through the air, ficked
the rose from its stem, and sent it into
the dusty road, little whirlwind of
broken leaves accompanying its fall.
" What pity !" she said, involun-
tarily.
"lt's only wild rose, you know"
surprised.
"But don't you like wild roses 2"
"Oh, yes; but there are so many of
them that it is hardly worth while to
waste sentiment on single one;" and
the captain showed his fine teeth in q
smile which was the least bit cruel.
Milly sighed, and cast regretfnl look
behind. Her gentle nature felt for the
fair despoiled thing. But, after all,
there were plenty of wild roses, as Cap
tain Hallett had said, and presently she
forget her sympathy and its cause. An
other turning in the lane brought them
to the village outskirts and to Squire Al
lens gate, where the rest of the party
were waiting. There were good-bye's to
say, divisions to make. Mrs. Allen was
intent on securing to each person his or
her own basket, Kitty FELTON, was count
ing teaspoons, Stephanie hunting for a
missing plate. In the midst of these re-
searches Stephen came up with the chill
dren. tie looked weary, and put Nan
ny into her mothers arms with an air of
relief, disregarding the drowsy protest
which she uttered.
"What lovely rose, Stephenl" said