The Forrest City times., 1896-04-24
THE CRUMPLED ROSE LEAF
BY ELEANOR BYERS.

The well-known bay at Algiers was most delightfully."- still. The sun glint- ed down on the white sails of a yacht lying mile or two out, making the brasswork glitter and the pretty little breakfast-tablc, set under the awning, look most cool and inviting. It was charmingly arranged deux, and every thing, from the delicate eggshell china to the little rat-tailed spoons, was of the daintiest description. Everything around looked so calm and quiet; it seemed almost as though a spell lay over it all, and the ship were about to sail into an enchanted city-the bril- liant blue of the Mediterranean, and the cloudless southern sky, with the white roofs and orange groves of Algiers in the distance, making up a picture worthy of fsiry-story. At least, so thought the man and woman who were leaning againsg the rail watching a tiny boat which was slowly makiI1 its way out to them. The woman held a big scarlet suushade over her, to sheI- ter her fair curly head and sweet mo- bile face from the sun.
 Fancy, Harry" she was laughing, just a month to-day since we were married! What a charming remem- brance! and what lovely idea of yours to have all those flowers brought over to decorate the ship with for tonight" The sun beat down on the little white hands holding the parasol, and made the brilliant rings upon them glitter again. Well begin at once, as soon as he comes," she went on. 'I think festoon of b'g yellow flowers would look splendid over the saloon door,"
 "Oh, mo-" answered her husband, laughing; i've won't begin at once, we'll ha,e breakfast first, and look at the papers; in fact, don't you think it will be too hot for us to do anything. little woman? l meant to let Williams do it all, and we could sit ill our deck chairs and direct him, you know!"
 You lazy old thing!" she cried. II do believe you get worse and worse every day, and the idea of wanting to look at papers when you're on your honeymoon! l never heard of such a thing"
 Well, I'm sure you were as eager as l was for the letters this morning." he laughed; it would serve you right if there were none, keeping me waiting all this time for my breakfast, toe" :" and he cast a longing and smiling look towards the little table under the avn ing.
 Don't go yet. Harry" she said; he's just coming now" and even as she spoke the boat drew up at the yachts side It was, indeed, a goodly cargo that she carried, baskets of oranges, bananas and purple grapes, whilst the other end of the boat was mass of brilliant blossoms, and on the seat be- side the tall swarthy African lay a precious little packet of letters and newspapers.
 ,"Oh," gasped Molly, who was an art ist in a small way; "oh, what glorious mass of color, what lovely fiowers!"
 Meanwhile the men carried the bas- kets on board, and MT. Astley, with his letters, walked over to the table and sat down in low deck-chair.
 Now, sweetheart" he said, you'll give me cup of tea, won't you? Here are two letters for you, do come and sit downl"
 But Molly was kneeling beside the flowers, burying her face first in one basket, then in another; and had to be coaxcd away and comfortably installed in her Chinois wicker chair by Harry himself before she would settle down to breakfast and her letters. Such a