The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-09-02
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.

A WAYSIDE FLOWER.
They were walking down 'Lovc Lane"
in gay, chatterng procession girls
with laurel-wreathed hats, young men
bearing shawls and baskets, matron or
two; last of all Stephen Fulton, child
on either side of HIN, 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 patting Lis
shoulder as they went along, and her
voice cooed words of d'owsy endearmcnt
which made Stephen smile, gloomy as he
felt that day. Each cheerful reply to
the chidren's questions cost al effort;
but he spoke cheerily all the same, and
tried to keep his eyes from wandering
forward to where Captain Hallctt walked
by the side of Milly Graves, with his
handsome head very near hers and his
voice murmuring low sentences inaudible
10 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, hero and
stranger; and the girls, who were only
too well-disposed to pull caps for him,
thought it "quito 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-conqucr-
ing captain takes up his position at her
side in early morning and never leaves it
until late afternoon2 1t is not in girl ma
ture to resist such tribute, and Stephanie
Dc Witt, in front, was partly justified in
calling it "a desperate firtation," al
though fear the pout with which she
spoke was due rather to amour propre
than outraged morals. But on Mily's
side it was not all fir.ation. 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 we're 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 diff.rcut sexes2 Cap
tain Hallett's fine eyes said more than his
tongue; his mart al mustache seemed to
give point and value to mere nothings.
H, carried a 1.-the little cane with which
h. empha,ized his sentences; now cut
ting the air, now beh0, ing n mu .len, in
way which Mil fascinating.
And then Love such pretty
spot, the very - DC eloquent in.
Its winding t. ere hedged with
fragrant growths ~Jdbine, brier, sweet
fern and bay. Overhead the trees met
and clasped in shady arches. Here and
there pink honeysuckIe glinted in the
network of green, Or train of simmer
ing ciematis. The pure primrose Ii hit
of a cloudlcss sunset siited down throu Il,
the canopy OF bou his; light breeze
stirred, full of delicious smells. 1t was
like an evening in fairy land.
Suddenly turning brought them to {
fern-clad bank, aga nst which, set in {
frame work of tremuious verdure, stood
one rose of perfect wild wood pink,
poised at tip of cluster of vivid leaves
1t was like an enchanted queen, Mil!
thought.
"How feautiful'' she cried; but ever
os the words left her lips the restless can,
flew through the air, fl cked the rost
from it stem, and sent it into the dust,
road, little whrlwind OF broken leave
accompanying its fall.
"What pitya' she said, invo!untariy
''It's only wild rose, you know" sur
prised.
"But don't you like wild roscs2"
: "Oh, yes; but there are SO many o
them that it is hardly worth while t,
waste sentiment on single one," ant
the captain showed his fine teeth in
smile that was the least bit cruel.
Milly sighed and cast a regrctful loo
behind. Her gentle nature felt for tn
fair despoi.ed thing. But, after all
there were plenty of wild roses, as Cap
9 tain Hallett said, and presently she for
got her sympathy and its cause. Anothe
turning in the lane brought them to til
g., 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 G
. her own basket, Kitty FELTON, was count
ing teaspoons, Stcphanie hunting for
missing plate. Ia the midst of these re
searches Stephen came up with th
children. He looked weary, ard ru
Nanny into her mothers arms with a
air of relief, disregarding the drows
protest which she uttered.
. "What lovely rose, Stephenr' sal
some of the girls. "Whtrc did you fin
itp
> I'm the road," replied Stephel
4 Somebody had switched it off j
4 stem and left it to die, SO we picked