Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-01-06
THE WHITE ROSES.

profession, but very poor; still sh'
cultivated her flowers with a poeti,
zeal which excited the admiration o
all who knew her Her little garden
situated at the outskirts of the city
contained some prodigy of the veget
able kingdom.
1t was mid-winter, when a fin'
equipage drew up and stopped il
front of Pascaline's door. A fine
looking matron and acharming youns
lady aIighted from the carriage: j
was the Marchioness de Regenial ans
her daughter.
"Mademoiselle," said the Marchion
ess, "my daughter is to be married
the day after to morrow, and we wisl
white rose for her wedding dress.
am told that you have one"
"Yes, 1 have two" replied Pasca
line.
Can | see them2" asked the nobl,
lady.
Certainly" was the response; ant
the two visitors were. conducted to ,
beautiful rosebush, bearing two half
blown roses, which shed a most de
licious perfume. ,
"Can't have both Of then?' in
quired the Marchioness.
mo, madame" said Pascaline, will
sigh, zone of them is already prom
ised.'
"Then will take this one," sale
the lady. "Vhat is the price,"
1.-TWO louis"
Here is .the money!" said til,
Marcbioness. Send the rose to my
hotel, Rue st. Honore."
Pascaline bowed politely, and re
conducted her wealthy customers tc
the door of her humble cottage.
"How fortunate," she thought
Forty francs! With this sum car
pay my rent, and save myself from
being turned out. Oh! my dear
mother!" she exclaimed, from thy
happy place in heaven thou still
guardest and protectest thy daugh
ter!n
The night was one of sadness te
Pascaline. 1t was the eve of the an
niversary of the death of her mother
a good and pious woman, who hao
cultivated in her daughter two chastt
affections-love of God and love o.
flowers. 4
She wept as she reflected upon the
last moments OF that adored mother
whom God had called to himself. i
was cold night. Death had already
seized upon its victim. The weepins
daughter sat by the bedside. Th'
dying mother said in faint, bu
sweet voice.
"Pascaline, are our white roses still
livipg?"
"Yes, mother," was the reply.
"Then bring them to mo that
may enjoy them once more"
They were two beautiful full
blown roses upon one branch. Th'
doctor said that the odor OF the flow
ers might injure the patient
mo, never mind" said Nine
Benoit; 'sthese roses, like my child
will live long after me.
A few minutes afterward sh'
breathed her last.
While she lay a corpse the rose wa
placed in her hand; but, as the deat
body was placed in the coffin tn,
| leaves of the flower fell off. She wa
buried, and the grave had scarcel.
closed when the daughter made I
solemn vow, as chaste and tender a
the heart which inspired it.
The night was thus passed in pray
er and filial remembrance. Mex
morning she resumed her daily tasl
in the garden She recollected tha
she had engaged to send a rose T.
the Marchioness, and she went t.
pluck it; but, sad to relate, one o
the flowers had withered away. Blu
a single rose now remained.
That day the proprietor came ant
demanded the payment of his rent.
sSir," said Pascaline, Il am unabl
to pay you"
How is that? You have tn
money! said the landlord reminding
her Of the two louis which he ha'
learned she had received from tn
Marchioness.
"That is no longer inine," she re
piled THE white rose has withere'
aud died. The money is to be re
turned"
But here is another rose remain
ing" said he; ''why not send it2"
! .That is already promised" sal
Pascaline; "all the gold in the worl'
would not purchase itr'
"Then," said the irritated proprie
tor, "you must leave here ut once
cannot allow tenants to occupy m
property for nothing"
''You shall be obeyed." said the gin
calmly.
4 Upon receiving the money whic
she left with Pascaline the day be
fore, the Marchioness hastened to tn
garden for the purpose OF learnin
why the rose had not cen sent Sh
was informed that Mademoisell
Benoit had just gone out with a whit
rose in her hand.
The Marchioness turned and sa'