The Press., 1898-06-02
for his grave on the sd of every

stood for his grave on the ad of every month.
 ..She chose his memorial ground there by the twin naples. She made Rarlands of the sweetest blossoms and wound them round the tree trunk where Roger had carved the date of their be- trothal, little dreaming that day so blessed to them was to become their fa- tai day.
 "After Harvey slunk away before her wrath Ruth went in state of lofty enthusiasm-as if she had just heard of Q national victory-and garlanded all her shrine with laurel leaf and blossom. She scattered the same emblematic leaves and flowers thickly over the spot where in her poetic fancy she hadlocat- ed this grave"
 "Was she so realistic?'' "Idealistic, rather. You will notice the space all myrtle grown. Its ever green leaves are conspicuous in all sea- sons.
 "Wasn't she grand to use the laurel, in the face of Harvey's slander?' said Marie.
 "She was loyal in every vein and fiber, and her loyalty was justified "Oh, did people find out the false hood?'
 "Few needed to be reassured, but the refutation came. One John Solger, who had enlisted from Cambridge, drifted back to the town at the close of the war. He was full of "reminiscences, and some one who had talked with him sent him to Ruth.
 "He was beside Roger Morgan when he was shot through the heart. He had | just caught the flag that had been shot from the hands of the color bearer. when a sharpshooter marked him and | took fatal aim.
 Roger never spoke after he was hit Solger took his letters and Ruth's pie ture from the body, but before he could Il send them to her he was captured and | they were taken from him. | "After his release he found few Cam bridge survivors, but Harvey Chase was with him in prison and knew the truth about Roger Morgan. Solger rayed over his disloyalty to his dead comrade.
 Ruth did not value the testimony in itself. Her faith had never faltered, but she called upon Solger to make liar vey Chase retract his slander--whioh he did in the craven style that might have been expected. But Roger shrine was very beautiful that day!" l "I wonder if he knows," said Elsie dreamily, "or is all this sentiment and devotion merely for love's relief?''
 "We can only wonder" said her aunt. Perhaps in a deeper sense than Mrs. Browning implied
 ''Folded eyes see brighter colors than the open ever do.
 "Be that as it may, Ruth Bryant has kept faith with a singleness of heart that is as inspiring as it is unusual" l "Why not?" said Marie. eff such offerings mean love and remembrance, why shouldn't they continue while love and remembrance last?''
 "It's an idyl anyway" said Elsie "that retired nook in the garden, the old trees, the faithful sweetheart speak ing her devotion in the only way she can, while the old gardener. who wal young when the lovers were, fills out the scene.''
 "But doesn't she make it a sort oi idolatry?" asked Marie.
 "I cannot think so. Ruth Bryant doel world of good in her quiet, efficient way. This is merely the oppression o1 her life's love. She cannot make home beautiful for her hearts dearest SC she keeps this shrine for love's sake."
 "I like it!'' cried Elsie. "It's not only tender, it's patriotic. "-Selected.