The National tribune., 1892-08-25

from home for a Gay.
His declining years-for he WAS well past the
sxties-denied him recreation, though on wet
days he would occasionally put his macintosh
over his shoulders and perch himself beside
the pool-for which Bracebridge was famous
and patiently watch the float for hours at time
IL is probable, however, that had 1t been sun
shine every day of the year the hsh would
have been minus one enemy. For the sun
shine brought the children out to play, the
sunshine allowed him to walk in the paths OF
his garden and watch the growth OF his roses
On wet days he had neither children nor
flowers. SO he went to the fish for consolation.
Old Holloway had two sources of happiness
His tiny cottage was known as Rose Glen. III
YOU ever went to Bracehridge you would never
dream of going away without looking over the
wicket gate and inhaling the sweet perfume oil
the old mans roses. They lined tho gravel
pathway, for all the world like floral sentries,
as their owner passed between them to the
porch. Rose trees were everywhere, and every
single blossom was As familiar to him as the
seals on his watch chain, and he patiently fol-
lowed the progress of each petal and the I'M
folding of every bud with as much pride and
care as he would that Of the growth of his own
child. Yes. the flowers brought old Holloway
happiness.
But he loved the children more. He once
said that, when their tiny faces were looking
up at him and smiling, they, too, were flowers.
Every child in Bracebridge knew old Hollo
way. They called him grandfather lou
never met him in the lanes without child
hanging to bis hand or his coat tails. Why,
the dear old fellow would make point Of
passing by the school just when the children
were coming ont Then he would let them
play on the grass of his garden. Let them !?
Nay, be would play with them. and his laugh
ter seemed as free as theirs, his shouts of meT-
riment as jjoyously innocent. Then when the
SUI began TO edge the hills with gold and
crimson, he would merrily drive them out OF
bis floral domains. and watch them wave their
hands as they turned the path way at the top OF
the hill which led to the village As he re-
traced his steps to the porch he would some
times stand beside tree of roses-great GRIM
son blossoms-more beautiful than all the
others Their color was richer than the sweet
est If the blossoms on the neighboring bushes
their perfume more fragrant. It grew apart
from them, too. on the lawn. He would To- /
at the name on the wooden tablet and read Ia.
simple word, Marion" That was the name
he bad given to his favorite tree" Marion " !;
and murmuring the word he would enter the
house very quietly.
One evening the children had all gone-he
had bid them "good-by." as usual. He turned
TO enter the house A whole week had passed
since he had examined his favorite rose tree
Crossing the grassy lawn he came to 1.-The
Marion" One of the great blossoms was
dropping, but Just from the same green stalk
fresh bud was shooting forth. The old man
took out his knife and cut off the faded flower.
he looked at the bud thoughtfully. He seemed
to read story among the roses-a story that
went TO his heart. He looked again at the
dead blossom in his hand. Then his eye wan
dered toward the bud. Heburst into tears, and
quickly turned away.
Ny daughter. my darling Marion! / was
cruel to send you away, very cruel. fathers
love for you made me think il impossible for
even husband 10 love you as / did. Shall |
ever see you again. or shall / see you dead
dead as this cnce beautiful blossom, which can
never again help TO sweeten my days and
brighten an old mans life? Oh, come back to
life again. and bring your little one with you.
Come-come-comc! !"
He entered the house weeping.
On the morning of the next day the chill
dren were on their way TO school. They al
ways passed Rose Glen, and old Holloway
would invariably be at the gate. But this
morning the children seemed more excited
than usual something had evidently hap
pened. or was about to happen, which made
sbeir little hearts beat faster than ever. They
had started earlier than was their won't, for
somehow they had got to know that it was
"grandfather's" birthday, and each wanted TO
be there first. On, on they went, laughing, shout