The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-05-29

was not of an angelic type. She looked
conscious of her curls AID pink prettiness.
Her head was coyly held.
Mrs. Haley, clasping her wiry hands in
her black cotton skirts felt strange, fem
inine resentment. Lavica had never done
a days washing, nor baked 10 pies of n
morning, nor churned nor patched, nor
struggled with any of lifo's difficulties
Yet here she was, even from her tomb, in
spring devotion such as Mrs. Haley en-
We'd and had never possessed.
81 d. know us | have to take impcrdence
from any person." she remarked. 81
didn't give up n good home with my own
sister to come to this fcrsakcn place and be
told that taking my husbands property
was stcalingl I'll see what your paw has
to say
She turned her back on the rose tree,
the ambrotype, the velvety mound and
'Brose.
Mr. Haley, upon being told of his sons
conduct showed u mild regret. Hell
come round all right, Marthy," he said
"Tou see he amt used to women's ways.
If you want that rosebush for Jane, you
go ahead and dig it up.
81 wouldn't have thay,bus if he was to
offer it," declared Mrs. fIaley, in shaken
voice She was thinking less Of 'Brose
than Of Lavica Layica might keep her
roses.
During the following week Sister Jane,
a heavily built woman of 90 years, arrived.
She brought II large black basket. Hum
phrcy, the mule having dragged the spring
wagon up the hill, painted with dramatic
WEAKNESS as Brose led him to the shed.
"That boy of Halcy's looks right
peaked, commented Sister Jane, looking
after 3rose and the mule. II hear tell
he s II right smart little trick"
She expressed astonishment as Mrs.
Haley related the matter of Lavica and tho
rosebush "Talked back, did hep Well,
poor little soul-it's kind of pitiful, amt
it, him a-inaking friends out'n tomb
stoneY OF course" she added hastily, eff
he's sassy he'll have to be taken in hand. ]"
Together thAtwo women waded through
the deep grass to inspect the little spot
which 'Brose kept beautiful in the midst
of all this desolation.
Roberts " unused Sister Jane, set
ting her iron bowed spectacles in position.
"Why, land sakes, Marthyl These must
be old John Roberts folks that lived down
on the river. l don't know as you'd re-
member EN- Right well off they were. l
don't suppose there's one of them left.
But say, Marthy, l recollcct it right well
we lived two miles below here at the
time-why, the Robertses had all their
folks moved out of this old burying ground
to the new Highland cemetery full l . years
ago! They put up II big monument there. "
She slipped out little gurgle of amuse-
ment
"I'd like to see that Haley boys face
when he finds out he's been planting flow
ers ON an empty grave! There he comes
round the house now, Marthy. Call him
over l want to see how he takes it.
Ambrose was just in sight He looked
very small. He could see the two women.
They were perhaps about to tear up La
vica's rose tree Brose felt faint and
frightened. His defiance was all over
Mrs Haley was observing him, and to
avoid her eyes he turned and stared far off
to the north, where the Ohio river dou-
bling about the great smoky city, CLEANED
yellow. The Kentucky hills, ripping
south, east and west, made soft undula-
| tions upon the summer sky. Everything
was tranquil Even the old graves wore a
| cheerful guise. Flowers were springing
freshly everywhere. Only the slight, lonely
| figure of Brose seemed incongruous with
| the placid summer cheer.
"I'll call him., =" said Sister Jane, taking
off her spectacles Suddenly she felt a
clawlike grasp on her plump arm.
Don't you do it, commanded Mrs.
Haley. Her little dark face was working
strangely. Don't you call that child.
1 amt ever going to let him know"
| 'Why, land sakcs''-
mo, Jane. He'd feel like he'd lost
something. That there Lavicy means lots
to him I'd feel like u dog if l stood by
and let him be told she ain t here at all -
She glanced at the old ambrotype Poor
little siinpering Lavical Mrs. Haley had a
sudden spasm of repentance as she met the
| CLASSY gaze of those round, childlike eyes.
Il thought it'd be kind of lesson TO
him for being so uppity" said Sister Jane.
Il amt going to punish him through
her said Mrs. Haley sternly. I'm going
| to have him start in to school in September.
| | reckon there won't many of the town
boys be any smarter'n Brose, if l do say
it, Being with young folks IL take his
mind up
They were making their way back tC
the house, and as they passed Brose, Mrs
Haley stopped. Touching him on the
| shoulder, she said;
"We've been admiring that rosebush
'Brose. Everything looks mighty pretty
out yonder. | reckon Lavicy feels might,
proud to see how you keep things fixed
I'm willing you should. Only-you
mustn't think more of her than you do OF
me!"-Eva Wilder McGlasson in Youths
Companion.