The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-09
THANK THE FLOWERS.

In q large marquee where q masonic
banquet had just been held, one of the
stewards, man of middle age. fingered
writing something in pocket-book.
The only thing on the dismantled
table that was left unspoilt to the eye
was the wonderful vases of splendid
tropical blossoms that were sending out
sweet breathing scents upon the smoke
laden air
A wan-faeed waiter in greasy dress
suit stood watching the gentleman i'm
patiently.
Organically sensitive to degree, DIR.
Holt lifted his large grey eyes to the
mans face and asked haughtfly:
"Am | in your way, my good fellow?''
mo, Sir, certainly not, SIR" said the
waiter sheepishly. wiping his hands on
the napkin at his side; '.only-''
"Ah, l understand. I'm not exactly
in the way, yet you wish me away.
Now why is that?''
''Well. if you must know, sir, the
head waiter will be here presently, and
l shall lose my chance of those flowers"
What do you want the flowers for?''
asked the gentleman. surprised that the
coveted article was not a game-pie close
at hand.
''WeH. you see, sir, in our house there
is poor foreign lady who is dying, and
she is mortal fond of flowers, particu-
larly great Haunting flashing ones like
them there; she says they remind her of
the sunny south"
The gentleman WINGED. and the wait
er continued:
My missus made me promise TO
bring some home; my missus is a soft
hearted one, and has taken fancy to
Madame Bellini.'
DIR. Holt started still more, then said
lightly:
"A soft heart is better than soft
head. You shall have the flowers
He took double-handfulo of the finest
blossoms, and picking up his card from
beside his plate, bound them up tightly,
then said:
Take them and that jelly yonder,
and this half-bottle of wine, and if they
are missed, refer your employers to
me-"
Then he went out and forgot all about
the transaction over a rubber of whist.
At the top of house in the dreariest
part of the big city the waiter in ques-
ton stood beside a good-natured come
Unlocking woman at the foot of low
white bed, where a lovely but haggard-
looking woman lay, supported by pill
lows; her great dark eyes were unnat-
urally bright, her lips a vivid red. her
cheeks crimson as the cool fresh flower
she laid against them lovingly
''It was very kind of you, Merton. to
think of me. The flowers make me feel
happy, they grow in my own sweet
home. One is not SO afraid of the brown
earth when one sees the beautiful treas
ures it nurses in its warm bosom. Per-
haps when / am dead the flowers will
talk to me and know l love them"
A tiresOme hacking cough interrupt
ed her low softspeech, that had slight
~ foreign accent. Fidgeting with the
flowers, she noticed that the stems were
too tightly compressed, and tried TO I'M
wind the string with her nervous fingers.
'sCut it, Merton; see how cruelty it
must bruise the stems. Why did you
tie them so tightly2"
II did not tie them, madame; the gem
tleman who gave me leave to take them
did it,
HE must have. been kind man,
Merton
81 think he is. madame; he has kind
face. This is his name, fancy"
Madame held out her hand for the
card, and read:
'sDr. Felix Holt.''
She gave cry of surprise, and
dropped the card as though it had stung
her.
''You are in pain madame; can do
for your asked Mrs. Merton.
mo, thanks. IT'S an old pain. l
think can sleep nown
Then. she pressed the card to her lips.
and placed it in her bosom; saying to
herself softly:
Heaven in its infinite mercy directed
this kindness from his hands," and fell
asleep with smile of divine gratitude
On her sweet face.
1.-THE doctor gives no hope for me,
Merton, and now 1 know / must die
nave g favor TO ask of YOU Take that
Gard and that faded passion flower, and
'eek the gentleman who gave them to
vou; tell him Mignen isdying and wish
IS to say farewell to him.
Merton nodded and left her, too |
moved to speak.
The sick woman lay back amid the |
pillows, her lips moved IS though she |
prayed.
1t was a bright breezy morning and /
he generous sun sent its cheering rays