The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-23
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.
4 Rose in Love Lane" and What
Became Of It.

They were walking down "Love
Lane" in a gay, chattering procession
girls with laurel-wreathed hats,
young men bearing shawls and baskets,
a matron or two; last of all Stephen
Fulton, a child on either side of him,
and in his arms little Nanny Forsythe
half asleep. Wherever Stephen went
children followed. led by attraction
irresistible 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 patting his shoulder as they
went along, and her voice cOoed words
of drowsy endcarment which made
Stephen smile, gloomy Us he felt that
day. Each cheerful reply to the chill
dren's questions cost an effort; but ne
spoke cheerfully all the same, and tried
to keep his ewes from wandering for
ward to where Captain Hallctt walked
by the side of Milly Graves, with his
handsome head very near hers, and his
voice murmuring low sentences inau-
dible to the rest of the party. Many
chances were sent back at this couple
from those in advance, for Neal Hallett
was the novelty of the moment, hero
and q stranger: and the girls, who
were only too well-dispOsed to pull
caps for him. thoughtit "quite too bad
e 1,l1,- ., III hi attnnfinns shn
had done all day.
But, after all, what could Milly, what
could any girl, do, when an all-con-
quering Captain takes u3 his position
at her side in early morning and never
leaves it until 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 tlirtatiOn, although L
fear the pOut with which she spoke
was due rather to amour prOpre than
outraged morals. But on Milly's side
it was not all Irritation. For all her
merry, saucy ways. she was sensitive,
-credulous creature, just the woman to
give '.goli for dust" and stake her all
in that unequal barter so common in
IilS MOIlAl Oh IulSuilutl
Her fair cheeks were flushed and her
blue ewes full of shy excitement rs they
walked along. talking abOut-dear me.
what do people talk about when they
are Young and of different sexes? Cap
tain Hallett's fine eyes said more than
his tongue: his martial muStachc
seemed to give point and value to mere
nothings. He carried 1.-THE little cane
with which he emphasized his SEN
fences; now cutting the air, now be-
heading n MULLEN, in Il way which
NIillv thought fascinating. And then
Love lane was such pretty spot. the
very place to be eloquentin Its wind
ing turns were hedged with fragrant
growths-woodbinc brier, sweet fern
and bav Overhead the trees met and
clasped in shady arches. Here and
there a pink honeysuckle glinted in
the network of green, or train OF
shimmering clematiS. The pure prim.
rose light of cloudlesS sunset sifted
down through the canopy of boughs
Il light breeze stirred, full of delicious
smells. 1t was like an evening in fairy
land.
Suddenly turning brought them to
a fern-clad bank, against which, set In
a frame work of tremulous verdure,
stood one rose of perfect wild wood
pink. poised at tip of cluster of vivid
leaves. twas like an enchanted queen
Nlilly thought.
How beautiful she cried; but even
as the words left her lips the restless
cane flew through the air, t1ickeI the
rose from its stem. and sent it into the
dusty road, little whirlwind of broker
leaves accompanying is fall.
What a pity?" said she, involun
tarily.
Its only a wild rose, you know
surprised.
a.But don't You like wild roSes?"
40. YES; but there are so many o
them that it is hardly worth while Il
waste sentiment on a single one" anC
the Captain showed his tine teeth in ;
smile that was the least bit cruel.
Millv sighed. and cast a regretfu
look behind Her gentle nature fell
for the fair despoiled thing. But
after all, there were plenty of wild
roses. as Captain Hallett said, and pres
emily she forgot her sympathy aud it;
cause. Another turning in the lane
brought them to the village outskirts
and to Squire Aliens gate, where the
rest of the party were waiting. Their,
were good-byes to say, divisions t.
make. Mrs. Allen was intent on Sc
curing to each person his or her owr
basket. Kitty FELTON, was counting tea
spoons, Stephanie hunting for missin.
plate. In the midst of these researches
Stephen came up with the children
He looked weary. and put Nanny int
her mothers arms with an air of relief
disre garding the drowsy protest which
she uttered.
What a lovely rose, Stephen sai'
some of the girls. where did yo'
find it?''
..In the road" replied Stephen
t'Somebody had switched it from it
stem and left it to die, Sc we picked !
up
Eyes. and Mr.. FELTON, said it was
shame to treat flowers So" put in
little boy.
The Captain listened impassively
but Milly gave half-pained glance a
the flower THAT was just ike you
Stephen" she said, softly; and Stephel
frightened for the first time that day
1t seemed to Stephen, looking back