Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-10-04
MYRTLE AND ROSE.

We stood in the rose garden, Edgar
Letter and | the sun was setting, and "A
gold and crimson glory lay, like rosy
blush, over the face ot the earth; in the
maple tree at the gate one sweet little
bird was singing, long after his merry
mates had gone to roo>t and rest, and |
thought, a l listened to his soft, clear
notes that my heart sang-though silent.
/ iy-Mr more joyously thnn he.
/ gathered two roses, red aud a white
flower, and pinned them into my breast /;
| kept my head bent down, butI fcltt that
Edgar'S merry blue eyes were ON me, and
/ | know that il my own should meet them
/ my foolish face would rival the hue OF
the crimson flower. And why? 1t was
50 silly! For he had never yet told me,
although | llnew-oh, | knew
He know, too, guess. lie must havc
/ felt pretty sure OF me or he would rot
have teased me so. But some instinct
told me, that when he followed me down
to the gate that evening, he would ask
me to be his wife.
oh, ii he had only asked me in 50
many plain words But even now, when
he saw the confusion that strove to hide
(unless, indeed, he was too much con
fused tonotice iD even now, he must needs
/ torment me.
What do the roses mean ?" said he,
and | knew he was smiling and watching
ne. though | never raised my eyes -
What is the Specification, pray, of II
red and white rose? a young lady so
learned MS yourself, understanding and
speaking the French and Italian lang.
uages, must sarcy understand the lang
uage Of flowers. Then tell me what those
two sweet roses mean ?'
Learned or not, did not understand
the language of flowers Mt all. / had
read it over, and heard the girls at school
talk about it, thought it far cilul and po-
etical, and pretty, but that was all.
Now, however, began to feel desperate
~ ashamed of my ignorance.
| determined not to confess it to him.
L know little of it," ,aid l, bmshing,
rs | remembered how little. - haven.
their literal Specification Mt my tongle',
end jnst now, but, in u general way,
think the roses are the omblems Of. love -
And | heartily euvicd my Cousin Kate
whose golden head could see at my own
bcd-room window, where she sat sewing
ana watching me, and who knew tho
whole language Of flowers by hcurtas well
MS did my French grammar.
" | will ask you II question by means
Of the flowers" " he said r" II seriou, ques,
ton, mind"
And he broke of II branch from the
myrtle by which we were standing, and
put il into my hard.
" 1t is but to give mo leaf from one
of your roses, and shall have my ans.
wer."
Tie grew serious all mt once MS he spoke
those words, and suddenly threw his arms
around me.
" 1t seems light way TO ask such n
grave question:" he said :" but it is done
now. You know what the branch OF
myrtle says. my darling. Which rose
will you give me TO wear ?"
was so nGtated, startled, confused,
thnt was ON the point Of confessing my
Ignorance, and bidding him put his qucs
ton into words, when suddenly and Gag
erly Kn,c called me.
Minnie Minnie =" She cried from
the window, come oh, como here at
once |"
] broke from Edgar's arms. Here was
- way to save my credit. | would ask
Kate what the myrtle aud the roses
meant, and learn how ought to answer
" Let me co." | cried. "Thero is
something the matter. A. for your ans
wer, give me n minute to think"
| caught an expression Of surprise up
on hi. face rs dartcd away. Evidently
he had not thought any hesitation posi-
BILE.
/ rn1 into Kate's ROOM She was sit
ting ut the window still, pale as death.
" fear interrupted lovc-scenc,' -
she snid, ms | entered, "but | am sick
and Gut."
Aud, to my surprise she burst into a
pa. Son Of tears.
" 1t i. nothing" she said, somewhat
impnticntly, after whilo. "The heat
has msdo me sick. What was Edgar
saying to you just now? saw him
throw his ann around you"
! felt myself grow crimson Mt the re-
m minder.
What does the branch Of myrtle
mean ?" l asked her, and how can |
answer by means Of the rose ?"
She grew paler than ever as she ans
wered me.
I" 1t Is an offer Of marriage" she said,
coldly. Shall you accept it, or reruse?"
uttered cry Of delight and sprnng
up. but she threw her arms around me
and detained me.
Don't leave me | am suffering. Oh
don't 60 ! Call to him from the window.
Say am sick, and he will excuse you.
Ifyou desire to give him for an answer
yes throw him single leaf Of your
white rose''
II was done in moment.
" Edgar" | called TO him, " cannot
come down again just now, but here is
your answer"
And down huttered white rose leaf,
and was caught in his open hand.
] saw him start.
" You know what you have thrown to