Morris tribune., 1886-10-27
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.

~oSNoOcB q HAttCIOu VI UWOI ldSO vi Ill
Stephen FELTON,, child on either side
OF him and III ms arms little Mamie
Forsythe half asleep. Wherever Ste
phen 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
pattlng 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
cheerfully 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
handsome head very near hers and his
voice murmuring low sentences inau-
dlbie to the rest Of the party. Many
Chances were sent back to this couple
from those HI advance, for Neal Hal
lett was the novelty OF the moment, q
zero and stranger, and the girls, who
were only too welldisposed to pull
caps for him, thought it 'quite too
bad OF Milly to absorb his attentions
as she had done all day.
But after all what could Mile, what
could any girl, do when an all-conquer-
lngcaptain takes up his position at her
side in early morning and never leave
1t until late afternoon? 1t is not in
giGl nature TO resist such tribute, and
Stephanie De Witt in front was partly
Justified in alling it "a desperate fir
tation," But on Milly's side it was
not all filtration. For all her merry,
saucy ways she was a sensitive, credu-
ious 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 sexes? Captain Hal
let's fine eyes said more than his
tongue; his martial mustache seemed
to give point and value to mere moth
ings. He carried a little cane with
which he emphasized his sentences,
now cutting the air, now beheading a
mullen in a way which Milly thought
fascinating. And then Love Lane was
such pretty spot; the very place to
be eloquent in. It's winding turns were
hedged with fragrant growths-wood-
blne, brler, sweet fern and bay. Over
head the trees met and clasped in
shady arches. Here and there pink
honeysuCkle glinted in the network of
green, or train OF shimmering Glenn
ats. The pure primrose light of
cloudless sunset sifted down through
the canopy OF bOughs; a light breeze
stirred, full Of delicious smells. 1t was
like An evening in fairy land.
Suddenly a turning brought them to
fern-clad bank, against which, set
in q frame work of tremulous verdure,
stood one rose of perfect wildwood
pink, poised at the tip of a cluster of
vivid leaves. 1t was like an enchanted
queen, Milly thought.
"How beautiful" she cried; but
even as the words left her lips the rest
less cane flew through the air, ficked
the rose from It's stem and sent it into
the dusty road, q little whirlwind of
broken leaves accompanying it's fall.
hat a pityn' she said, invoun-
tarIy.
Its only wild rose, you know"
surprised.
But don't you like wild roses?"
''Oh, yes; but there are so many of
them that it is hardly worth while to
waste sentiment on single one," and
the captain showed his fine teeth in a
smile that was the least bit cruel.
NIilly sighed and cast a grateful look
behind. Her gentle nature felt for the
fair despoiled thing. But, after all,
there were plenty OF wild roses, as
Captain Hallett said, and presently
she forgot her sympathy and its cause.
Another turn in the lane brought them
to the village outskirts and to Squire
Aliens gate, where the rest of the par
ty were waiting. There were good
byes to say. divisions to make.
Mrs. Allen was intent On secur-
lng to each person his or her
own basket, Kitty FELTON, was count
ing teaspoons, Stephanie hunting for
a missing plate. In the midst of these
researches Stephen came up with the
children. He looked weary, and put
Nanny into her mothers arms with an
air of relief, disregarding the drowsy
protest which she uttered.
"What lovely rose, Stephen!' said
some of the girls. where did you
get it2"
"In the road" replied Stephen.
"Somebodv had switched 1t off it's
stem and left it to die, so we picked it
up"
Eyes, and Mr.. FELTON, said it was a
shame to treat flowers So" put in a
little boy.
The captain listened impassively,
but Milly gave half-pained glance at
the flower. '"That was just like you,
Stephen" she said, softly and Stephen
frightened for the first time that day.
1t seemed to Stephen, looking back,
that his love for Milly had begun
when he was boy of and she
baby IN the cradle. He could not
recollect the time when he did not
prefer her to all other girls At school
ne was her knight, his sled, his Jack
knife, his help always at her service.
Stephen taught her to skate, to row.
1t was he who brought her the first
maple sugar, the first arbutus; he who
took her on sleigh rides and walked
home with her from church and the
village tea parties. Milly absorbed
these services not ungratefully, but as
a matter OF course. She had been
used to them from her babyhood, and
could almost as well dispense with sun
or air out of her life; but the sun and
air, being mover withdrawn, are rarely
noticed or alluded to. "Dear, good,
old Stephen" she called him. Now,
it was not we'll tor man to lavish
himself on O. woman who thinks OF
him only as 'dear old Stephen"
And now Stephen was doomed to
stand by and see stranger appropri-
ate the object of this fe-long devotion.
He had sown. and another was to reap
his labors. Day by day all that sum-
mer long thegla nor grew and deepened.
Gapt. Hallett's leave Of absence aeeno.