The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-17
THE KINGS LITTLE FLOWER.

Ruthy stood In the south doorway unoer
the big NAPLES watching the yellow WORTH
ington bus come rafting up the country
road. 1t turned in at the gate. ana Inc
panting horses drew up under the Trees
while a pale young lady climbed out anu
walked slowly up the path
"Yes. il must be Miss Emily" she SAID 10
herself as her mother came in from the
kitchen IN welcome the newcomer ana
she herself slipped into the north bedroom
tn Gee that everything was fresh and sweet
and emil. though she had satisfied herself
unon that point at least five times since the
6 80 train whisiled. Then she slipped out
again by the north door before Miss Emily
got inside.
The next morning Miss Emily was sitting
very still at her white-curtained window,
that looked out through the honeysuckle
vines and across the big orchard. 1t was
very still and sweet there, and she leaned
back in her easy rocker with long sigh OF
restfulness. The wind blew softly across
the grass. and seemed to smooth away IN
pain that throbbed at her temples.
All at once she caught sight OF little lace
peeping in at her door; il was Ruthy, with
a fresh nosv for her vase. She stood a mo-
ment on the threshold, looking shyiy 10,
herself so like a sweet pink flower that MISS
Emily smiled.
Miss Emily's face was very sweet always
and when she smiled her eyes bad way OF
shining and when she said softly, Come
here. little flower" Ruthy cTeDt up to her
with the lily elasped in her hand. and looked
straight into her face. Miss Emily kissed
her cheek.
what are your" she asked; "a little pink
rose fresh from he garden, or daisy OF a
little wild flOwer?"
an, D,th,- tho ohild
Ruthy and Miss Emily grew to be great
friends, and they had long talks together
that reached straight down into the chlld's
innocent little heart
Sometimes they talked nbOut the King,
for Miss Emily knew the King well, and il
was the brightness Of the light Of his happy
kingdom that made her face so sweet and
her eyes so shining.
Eyes" she said one day. Il am very sure
the King loves flowers. Wouldn't you like
to be a little flower yourself and blossom for
him?"
Ruthy looked up with wondering eyes.
show can ?" she asked.
Ever so many ways" answered Emily,
brightly. You have found out some for
yourself One morning / knew the King
looked down and saw 4 little girl helping
her mamma wipe the dishes, when l just
knew she wanted to 60 out into the yard
and see if the pig yellow Iansy had opened
yet"
Ruthy laughed gleefully.
"WhY, that was NE ~ she said.
And the King said to the angels that
were with him, See this little heaTtsease.
how 1t is growing! Then the angels turned
and watched, and the King smiled down at
the little girl"
Ruthy looked up, with a sudden grave
sweetness in her eyes.
THAT must have been when I felt so
happy. aud it was because the King
smiled" she added softly, half to herself.
Are you trying to be a flower, Miss
Emily" she asked, suddenly.
Miss Emily's face was very bright and
she bent and kissed the upturned face.
yes, dearie; / am."
Then Ruthy put her lips close to Miss
Emily's ear, and whispered softly: II am
going to try to be. the Kings little hearts
ease all the time"
Dear little girl!' said Miss Emily. And
her eyes said Pm so gladp'
There were great many ways that the
little heaTtseHSe learned 10 blossom for the
King. Papa grew to watch for a little maid
at the gate when he came up from the fields,
tired and worn, after his days work No
matter how worn and grave aud weary bis
face might be, 1t always frightened at the
sight of her, and, by the time they reached
the well under the apple tree all the lines
would be smO0thed away from his forehead
The same little maid ShOne ike 4 sunbeam
81 AAbhAtu AliC tDuoCs neil ping UtE IlDkUeI
IN the bot kitchen or in the spring-room or
the pantry; for hadn't Miss Emily said that
one way Of being a flower was 10 he happy
and glad, and TO help other people to be so?
Sometimes the little flower blOsSomed for
old Miss Martin, across the road in the
brown cottage; sometimes she brought a
cup Of cool water for a dusty wayfarer.
It is long time ago that Ruthy learned
how to blossom for the King. She remem-
bers so well the day Miss Emily went away
70 the Kings country; she was glad to go
she was so tired, and in the Kings country
there was rest. Ruby herself laid the
white lilies in her hands, and with them the
little heartsease blossoms
1t is long time since; but, though she
has grown to be a tall Young woman, Ruthy
has never forgotten that she is the Kings
flower, and every day her life grows and
blossoms 10 the sunshine OF His love. Sor-
row and tears have come with the years
but they only make her heart more sweet
and tender; and the King of heaven looks
down and is glad because of His little
AoWar