The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-03-10
It Was Only a Rose. !
BY WILLIAM SAGE.

and confusion and people. Here in the
garden there were also winding alleys,
hut they were bordered with sweet
smelling hedges. There were fruit
trees and rose trees; and fountains that
FLASHED merrily day and night.
1t was a beautiful garden, and the
countess should have been very happy
mere. And so she would have been but
for the dragon. This dragon did not
breath forth fire and smoke, nor did she
have terrible claws and teeth; but, on
the contrary, was very polite and stiff,
and formal. In color she was generally
black, though on occasions she would
become green or yellow, or various
colors. She watched over the countess
from early morning until bedtime, and
sometimes followed her into dreamland.
This the countess thought hardly fair,
for Greenland was her own exclusive
territory. She discovered, however,
that the dragon generally followed her
there on the nights she had eaten two
pieces of cake for supper.
There was another bar to the count
ess' happiness. 1t was being kept pris-
oner in the garden. True. she did go
cut into the city occasionally, but al
ways in a big carriage. in company with
the dragon; and on very rare instances
with the marquis, her father, a very Sc
late and splendid gentleman, whom she
admired greatly, but of whom she stood
somewhat in awe.
Then the sides OF the carriage were so
high that she could see very little, save
the upper stories OF houses, as she
drove by.
So, after all, she preferred to stay in
the garden with Tou-Tou, her dog, and
Fanchette, her doll, where they could all
three be together. with no one else to
disturb them-when the dragon was
asleep in The house.
BY standing on a big stone, which she
lad rolled under the wall on the terrace,
the countess could look over into the
street below. Across the way was the
high wall of another garden. and down
at the end of the street was a large
boulevard. where one could see horses
and carriages and many passers-by.
The countess had climbed on to
The stone, and was leaning over the wall,
with her neck craned to get glimpse of
the boulevard. when she noticed a boy
standing on the other side of her street
looking at her intently. He had on
neither shoes nor hat, and his clothing
was very much the worse for wear. In
fact, in several places it was rent
through and showed his bare brown
legs and arms.
''Where did you come from ?" inquired
the countess.
The boy did not reply in words, but
merely gave a quick motion of the head
sidewise, in the direction of the boule-
ward.
j 'From the great city?"
The boy nodded.
"Do YOU like it there?"
Now the boy knew that this was not
The way to answer the gentry, for he
had been taught to be respectful to his
superiors. but he was not, by nature, a
very polite boy. so instead of replying
with Difference he merely said: Il have
TO like it," and started to walk away.
''Please do not 60" called out the
countess.
"Why note"
Because l want to talk to you. 1t is
so lonely here with no one but Tou-Tou
and Fanchette."
what do you do there?" asked the
boy. becoming interested, and crossing
over the street.
ooh, we walk in the garden and have
tea parties and play hideand-seek. Only
Fanchette doesn't play much. for she
can't run; hnt TouTou can"
"What's Tou-Tou and Fanchette?"
I'll introduce you. They're asking
20 come up" And she placed doll on
the top of the wall and helped little
dog to scramble up beside it.
"Only dog and DOLE" laughed the
boy.
The dog did not like the boys appear
ance, and began to bark furiously. Run
ming to and fro in his excitement he
knocked Fanchette off the wall. The
countess gave n cry of terror. which
changed to JOY as she saw the boy catch
the doll before it could touch the pave
ment.
''Oh, thank you! thank you, for saving
Fanchette's life. Tou-Tou, you wicked
creature, be quiet! Boy, can you reach
Fanchette up to me?"
The boy stood on tiptoe and handed
mp the doll feet first. BY leaning for
ward the countess was able to get hold
of one foot and restore the unfortunate
Fanchette to 4 sitting position on the
wall
''Thank you again. both for her ant
for me. Re quiet, Tou-Tou, tell you,
she said. turning to the dog, and placing
one hand over his little black muzzle.
"He has such bad manners. has Tou
Tou," she remarked. apologetically
'T could teach him manners if hat
him down here" muttered the boy.
The dog stopped barking, but being
true aristocrat, sat Sowing down a
the boy, emitting an occasional growl.
Il say" exclaimed the boy pointing
TO the roses that grew in profusion ovel
the terrace, what are those red thing,
that smell so sweet?"
''Why, do you not know what rose
sre?" cried the countess. breaking of