Connecticut western news., 1886-09-08
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.

They were walking down Glove Lane" in gay, chattering procession-girls with laurel-wreathed hats, young men bearing shawls and baskets, a matron or two; last of all Stephen Fulton, child on either side of him, and in his arms little Nanny Forsythe half asleep. Wherever Stephen went children fol- lowed, led by attraction irresistible as that which draws iron filings to the mag net Grown people could not understand this attraction, but the little ones never mistook about it. Sleepy as she was, Nanny's small hand kept batting his shoulder as they went along, and her voice cooed words of drowsy endearment which made Stephen smile, gloomy as he felt that day. Each cheerful reply to the children's 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
 
 voice murmuring low sentences inaudible to the rest of the party. Many glances were sent back at this couple from those In advance, for Neal Hallett was the novelty of the moment, a hero and a stranger; and the girls, who were only too well-disposed to pull caps for him, thought it t'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-conquer- ing captain takes up his position at her side in early morning and never leaves it until late afternoon2 It is not in girl na- ture to resist such tribute, and Stephanie De Witt, in front, was partly justified in calling 1t ia desperate firtation," al- though I fear the pout with which she spoke was due rather to amour 1,ropre than outraged morals. But on MilIy's side it was not all filtration. For all her merry, saucy ways, she was sensitive, crednlous 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 as they walked along, talking about-dear me, whom do people talk about when they are young and of different sexes2 Cap tain Hallett's fine eyes said more than his tongue; his martial mustache 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 mullein, in Q way which Milly thought fascinating. And then Love Lane was such pretty 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 honeysuckle glinted in the network of green, or train of simmer ing clematis. The pure primrose light of "a cloudless sunset sifted down through the canopy of boushs; light breeze stirred, full of delicious smells. It was like an evening in fairy land.
 Suddenly turning brought them to g fern-clad bank, against which, set in g frame work of tremulous verd-lre, stood one rose of perfect wild woal pink, poised at tip of cluster of vivid leaves. It was like an enchanted queen, Milly thought.
 sHow beautifull' she cried; but ever ss the words left her lips the restless can' flew through the air, licked the ros' from it stem, and sent it into the dust, = road, little whirl wind of broken leave accompanying its fall.
 ssWhat pity7' she said, ,involuntarily
 'It's only wild rose, you know," sur prised.
 'sBut don't you like wild rosesf"
 stOh, yes; but there are so many o them that it is hardly worth while t. waste sentiment on single one," anc the captain showed his fine teeth in smile that was the least bit cruel.
 Milly sighed and cast regretful loo behind. Her gentle nature felt for tn fair despoi.ed thing. But, after all there were plenty of wild roses, as Car tain Hallett said, and presently she fol got her sympathy and its cause. Anothe turning in the lane brought them to tn village outskirts, and to Squire Allen gate, where the rest of the party wer waiting. There were good-byes to say divisions to make. Mrs. Allen was in tent on securing to each person his 0 her own basket, Kitty Felton was count ing teaspoons, Stephanie hunting for missing plate. In the midst of these re searches Stephen came up with tn children. He looked weary, and pr Nanny into her mothers arms with a air of relief, disregarding the drows protect which she uttered.
 ''What lovely rose, Stephenr' sai some of the girls. '9Where did you fin itq'
 .In the road" replled stephel ssSomebody had switched it of i stem and left it to die, so we picked