The Lamar register., 1893-05-13


Julia had the ra-est on her center
table
Julius Martels did not remain away
from the house. but came often to
SEQ the last OF the Van Rettigs. He
seemed to be the mos. welcomed of
the many who sought out the fair
woman. and she seemed to listen to
him as to no others
He stood one night in the parlor
waiting for Julia TO come down. A
faint light. soft in its iaintness, per-
yaded the apartment. and he was
looking at the old-fashioned portraits
OF the Van Rettigs which were on the
walls about him. He noticed that
the artists had left in the lower left
hand corner of each portrait blue
tulip-sometimes so faint as to be
| almost imperceptible. but it was
there nevertheless. and he smiled
whenever no looked at it.
Presently he heard tho rustic Of
silk on the stair Just beyond the open
door. and Julia made her appearance.
She came in sith the grace OF born
princess. gowned after tho manner OF
the old stadthOlders' daughters
Martels was inclined to laugh. but
the face Of Julia Van gcttig checked
his rising mirth. and he compli-
nented hnr oa her costume.
My mothers wedding drcss." said
Julia ''lt has been in the chest for
fifty years, and have brought 1t
forth on this. the anniversary of the
happiest dag cf her life "
He did not know what TO say. 1t
seemed 20 him that JuliG's voice had
changed; certainly there was a
change in her face. for II was white
and wax-liko now; whereas, when he
saw her last. It was full OF life, al
most roseate
"You sec the pictures yonder2"
said Julia, with sweep OF her hand.
There seem to stand the ancestors
Of the old Holland years. That one
Is Carlson. tho founder OF the house
tho old warrior who one time
scaled the bsttlcncats OF famous
castle and planted the banner OF his
stakeholder there Yonder Is the
portrait Of his wife as she appeared
in her wedding gown. something like
the one ! an wearing now. There is
Carl. nay grandfather. and the vacant
I spot yondcr will be filed some dag
with my fathers portrait You can
soc tho blue tulip in the lower left
] hand corner" and Julia seemed to
smilo; lit was placed there By COM
maud-a rare flower found gcciden-
tally by old Carlson and worn by his
line over since. Do you believe q
blue tulip ever existcd-a real blue
ons2"
It was a singular question. Martels
smiled.
FLORISTS have offered fabulous
sums for ono. s. he said. They have
spent great sums of money in the
will-o- thc-wisp hunt for a blue tulip.
but Il seems as far OF rs ever. l
fear It will never be produced. and
will pass into history along with the
blue chry rysanthemum-
II would like 70 show you the
counterpart Of the new famous tulip"
she exclaimed. ..It Is now blooming
In the conservatory. II has come
back to the family after an absence
OF many years
Julius Martels looked a. the girl
with stare What had como over
her2 Was she really sane. or had
she been touched by that strange
mania which was hers by inheritance9
''In the gardens. you ssy?" he said
II will gladly look at this wonder of
the Goral kingdom"
Julia led the way mp the old stair
case and opened the door of the
garden. The glass roof reflected the
brilliant light Of the stars. and
through n broken light came the rare
! cool air of that autumn night
Marte!s saw shadows where none
seemed to exist He glanced Mt Julia
and heard her stis silk rustic over
the walks between the tulip beds.
She looked to him like transformed
creature. There was something about
her that sent nancless chill through
/ his heart. and when he saw her stop
At Httle bod covered with q glass
frame. he drew back,
'.In the name OF God. what makes
Z that woman lool; so ghostly9" he
7 murmured ..She has lost her old
Z identity. She is not the Julia Van
Rettig OF yesterday. nor the fair
woman whom old Jacob refused to
hand over to me the night ! threat
ened to delugo the market with blue
tulips" -r.r
Julia was STOPPING ove- the glass
frame all unconscious. as II seemed.
I ~ ,ba rnan whom shp had conducted