St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-10-30
A WAYSIDE FLOWER.
A Rose in Love Lane" and Whrt
Became Of It.


Became Of It.
They were walking down 'Love
Lane" in a gay, chattering procession
girls with laurelwreathed hats,
young m IN 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 ma ynet. 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 cheet1ully all the same, and tried
to keep his ewes 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
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. thoughtit it 'quite too bad
of Millv 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 tiirtaton," 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 "goli 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,
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 mustache
seemed to give point and value to mere
nothings. He carried a 1.-THE little cane
with which he emphasized his SEN
tences; now cutting the air, now be-
heading a mullen, in a way which
Milly thought fascinating. And then
Love lane was such a 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 glinted in
the network of green, or q train of
shimmering clematis. The pure prim-
rose light of cloudless sunset siftcd
down through the canopy of boughs;
light breeze stirred, full of delicious
smells. 1t was like an evening i'm fairy
land.
Suddenly turning brought them to
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 a cluster of vivid
leaves. 1t was like an enchanted Queen.
Milly thought.
How beautifulr' she cried; but even
as the words left her lips the restless
cane flew through the air. fiicksd 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 wild rose, you know"
surprised.
But don't YOU like wild roses?"
80. 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 .
smile that was the least bit cruel.
Milly sighed, and cast a 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
emily she forgot her sympathy and it's
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 Sc
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 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 q lovely rose. Stephenr' said
some of the girls. Where did YOU
find it?''
"In the road, ~ replied Stephen.