The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-11-27
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.
A Rose In Love Lane and What
Became Of It.

They were walking down "Love
Lane" in gay, chattering procession
girls with laurelwreathed hats,
young men bearing shawls and baskets.
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 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 endearment which made
Stephen smile, gloomy as he felt that
day. Each cheerful reply to the chill
dren's questions cost an effort; but he
spoke cheerfully all the same, and'tried
to keep his eyes from wandering for
ward 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-
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 stranger; and the girls, who
were only too well-disposed to pull
caps for him, thoughtit 'squite too bad"
of Afilly to absorb his attentions as she
had done all day.
But, after all, what could Milly. what
could any girl, do, when an all-con-
quering Captain takes up 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 flirsation," although
fear the pout with which she spoke
was due rather to amour proprc 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 ''gol1 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 say excitement as they
walked along, talking about-dear me,
what do people talk about when they
are young and of different sexesp 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 sem
fences; now cutting the air, now be-
heading MULLEN, in a way which
Miily thought fascinating. And then
Love lane was such pretty spot, the
very place to be eloquent in. Its wind
ing 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 glifited 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;
a light breeze stirred, full of delicious
smells. 1t was like an evening in fairy
land.
Suddenly turning brought them to
q fern-clad bank, against which, set in
q frame work of tremulous .verdure,
stood one rose of perfect wild wood
pink, poised at tip of a cluster of vivid
leaves. Itwaslike an enchanted queen,
Milly thought.
'.How beautifulr' she cried; but even
as the words left her lips the restless
cane flew through the air, fiicked the
rose from its stem, and sent it into the
dusty road, little whirlwind of broken
leaves accompanying its fall.
What pity" said she, involun-
tarily.
ITS only a wild rose. you know"
surprised.
''But don't you like wild rosesr"
20, yes; but there are so many of
them that it is hardly worth while to
waste sentiment on a single one," and
the Captain showed his fine teeth in q
smile that was the least bit cruel.
Milly sighed. and cast regretful
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 pres
entity she forgot her sympathy and its
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. There
were good-byes to say, divisions to
make. Mrs. Allen was intent on 90
curing to each person his or her own
basket. Kitty FELTON, was counting tea
spoons, Stephanie hunting for missing
plate. In the midst of these researches
Stephen came up with tho children
He-looked weary. and put Nanny into
her mothers arms with an air of relief,
disregarding the drowsy protest which
ohe uttered.