Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-04-03

breeze brought him breath OF in
cense. Then he thought of frail
Anemone, whom he had embraced so
many times, as they met in the wood
lands, and who needed his fresh Wig
or, and cool way of meeting things,
to assist her in getting along, or even
holding her oscn.
He glanced at her now, SO tall, frail
and slender, so graceful and so fair,
with the faintest hectic on her pure
face, and tender inclination of her
slight form towards him. He looked
at the soft wreaths around her trail,
and thought how often they had
fioated over his buskins, and how
beautiful she seemed when the wind
lifted her head, and the sunlight came
down through the tree tops on her
delicate brow. But Moss was ambi-
tious; and, spite of his humble dress,
cool way, and odd habits, he had, with
all his sturdy helpfulness, quite an
idea of taking a bride who should
help him up in the world, instead of
humbly uniting himself to one of the
modest companions of his early life.
And he said, Il will have rosel'
0, what a laugh went upl Tt was
like little whirlwind of sneers, for
Rose was Flora's chief favorite, and
her attendant everywhere She was
the acknowledged belle of all the
flower fairies, and in every land her
supremacy was admitted. She had
rested on the brows of queens, and
nestled in the bosom of an empress.
She was ever first in the garland, and
chiefest in the boquet. But it was
no obstacle with Moss that she was
universally acknowledged 1oveliest,
supremest, best When he heard
the taunting laugh, he looked at her
to see if she joined in the scornful
mirth; but her head was bowed, to
hide her bushes and the rich glow
that deepened at her heart. There
was nothing exclusive in her DISPOSE
ton; she breathed as sweetly on a
beggar as on king, and looked as
sweetly on pallat as on palace.
Like every noble nature, she could
appreciate the universal sympathies
of Moss, and his general usefulness.
Spite of his humble uniform, and the
stiff armor in which he sometimes cas-
ed himself, she knew how soft was
his heart, how invigorating his touch.
She could not sneer, nor taunt, and
now awaited, while rich odors stole
from her open heart, the reply of
Queen Flora.
But, Moss, said the queen, though
you are an adventurous little fellow,
and can scramble through the world
better than some who have poor
opinion of you, yet you sometimes
choose but rough residence, and
lawless way to spend your time. Now,
Rose I would have carefully cherished
and carried to beauteous home, for
she is worthy of all can bestow on
her She must not be taken into
damp caves, nor dragged up into
dead trees. The sweetest bird deserves
the loveliest cage; the richest jewel
should have the most precious ring;
the noblest of all my flower fairies de-
serves the best husband and the most
beautiful home.'
will do all in my power to give
her each of them, replied Moss, whose
stout heart was not at all daunted by
this disclosure. Permit me this year
to prepare for my loved one J!
And where will we meet 2 asked
the queen.
DO you see, said Moss, pointing
his wand towards the bay, that high
rock, by little creek? There let us
meet on next midsummer eve ?
There let us meet on next midsum-
mer eve 7 responded the queen; and
There let us meet on next midsum-
mer evep was the response of the
whole choir