The Wilmingtonian., 1888-06-09
A Wreath of June Roses.

ment of the delightful summer that
was everywhere about her. The beau
tiful Junetime weather was abroad;
every leaf and blade felt it; every
bird knew it. Miss Greyson knew it,
too, sitting in her vine-covered, vine
wreathed porch, with her thin hands
resting quietly on her lap, and her
face taking on far-away look as she
gazed on the western sky, and then
turned suddenly 10 Rose Day, as she
came tripping down the country lane,
and turned aside--yes, she was com
ing to her door.
Rose was always pleasant sight to
behold-more than that, she was a
cheering sight, for she had beauti-
full face, and was unconscious of it.
Her eyes were deep, purple blue;
her hair, soft, wavy gold, and her fair
complexion, with red, rosy cheeks,
made her picture Of health and hap
piness.
Had Roses mother possessed
wealth it might have made her child
vain, and in measure dwarfed her
life. But she was only a soldiers
widow, drawing small pension.
Their little cottage home, with its
acre Of ground, was their own, and
that was about the extent of their
worldly possessions. But they had a
| taste for flowers; off they hadn't, t,they
should make taste," Mrs. Day quiet
| ly informed neighbor. af@ 4
Lovely flowers bloomed in their
garden. Early in spring time they
Ebegan to grow, and they bloomed till
Nate in autumn when the last chrysau-
themums were gathered. Roses grew
in abundance. The lovely hawthorn
roses that "ope in the month of Mays"
great adouble" roses, regular old
fashioned flowers, and sweet as the
breath of the morning; faint blush
roses, aud the lovely little Scotch
roses, clear white. Oh. what be-
wildering bower was Mrs. Days
front yard in the fragrant June,time,
and and fairest rose of all-ahl it was
Rose Day.
Seated.in the yine-coyered porch,
her face shaded by the western light
was Miss Greyson, thinking-and not
sadly thinking-that tomorrow
| would be her birthday.
Youth had passed, middle age had
i 1 " n, q ru " aa 49, -. =
morrow you'd score / can not tell
but tomorrow would be her birthday,
as she told Rose, who had taken seat
beside her.
Tomorrow your birthday. Why
Miss Greyson-"
swell, dear, what is it? You are
thinking what an 0 d lady I am grow
ing to be?'
"No; l was not thinking that +"
"Perhaps wondering if | were ever
young and fair? Child, my eyes were
once as bright as yours, and my hair
unfaded. But it is not so sad to lose
the outward charms of youth if the
heart is still young. Consider the
June time. When will it grow old?"
"Never, oh never, Miss Greyson,
and know another thing-a little
secret I will tell just here. You are
going to have present on your birth
day"
"a present, child Who will bring
| iG"
"Oh, the birds of the air, on the
wings of the morning"
While the conversation is length
ened little we will glanced at Miss
Greyson's history.
Early in life she was the centre of
a large and happy family, but one by
one death claimed the little band, till
now they had all passed on but her
self and one brother, long distant in
a foreign land. The property had
also gone, and Miss Greyson ba =
eked out subsistence; still sheA vas
always cheerful, always tsdsting.
Were not the sparrows fed? Where
was her faith? Truly she had said
r growing old was not to be considered
t if she but kept her heart young. And
, tomorrow was her birthday.
1t proved one of June's loveliest
$ days. The stars paled and the east
grew rosy, the morning wind blew
over the hill-tops, the little birdl
: grew jublant with trill and song, thC
G IL eamlets laughed and the trees clap.
If ped their hands for joy. The lap o
s. the summer was full. Into this full
i ness stepped Rose Day, to gathe
d from her mothers garden the birth
y day gift she had promise Miss Grey
Al son. II was to be wreath, wreatl
% Of June roses, which when woven, a
v shining with the morning dew wa
ID indeed a thing Of beauty. 1t wa
Of Miss Greyson's birthday, and it wa
"a also her own. Seventeen today; tha
=, was what she said TO herself as sh
re slipped the wreath upon her arm an
~ stepped upon the walk IN her pal
:. blue dress, very vision Of summer.
r- "Will you please direct me to Mi.
e Greyson's!" asked a clear, mani
sb voice, accompanied by a respectfi
raising of the hat. ....
"Oh, yes" answered Rose, vii
We simple grace. 81 am now goir
Il, -