Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-27
Was Ii q Memory?

!. :. +. : : ..:.
Lawrence Hunter carried a liz bunch
q PINK roses with him when he called
on Alma Bentley with an important mis-
sion IN his mind. and he felt that he was
particularly fortunate IN having them, rs
they were country bred roses, grown
properly ia the open air. and the last OF
the season.
He had heard the young woman be-
moan the fact that She never saw any
roses except those raised in lighthouses:
that she G,d not consider art superior t0
nature and should never forget the dear
roses that grew in the country, in the
garden Of their old home. They were
flled with tender associations,
Therefore Lawrence Hunter was full
Of happy Importance as he presented
her with the roses he had. plucked him
self from the bushes in a friends garden
that same day
''You win find them delightfully."- fra.
grant" he said as She took the great
bunch Of bloom in her fine slim hands
and looked at them with such loving APP
probation that the young mans pulse
went mp 10 fever heat
She was dressed as became rose
queen-in snowy white--and her golden
hair was bound with fllet of blue,
which color enhanced the fairness Of her
complexion. as she probably meant il
should, hi the nrtlessness of art And
as she held her lovely face, with its deli
cate rose color. above the roses the young
man strengthened his resolve to propose
that
But there is an old adage about man
proposing The queenly Alma knew that
she could not continue to hold the roses
without WEAKNESS. Even flowers become
burdensome under certain conditions, and
she placed them tenderly in china vase,
and when they were arranged TO suit
her fastidious taste fingered TO drink in
their subtle beauty.
"They bring up the sweetest assocla-
tions of a happy past" she said roman
tically Petals OF pink and hearts OF
gold, how | love you! | revel in your
adorable sweetness
And she buried her face in the mass Of
roses, the better to inhale their odor, and
then Lawrence, who felt the insanity of
Jealousy stealing over him, noticed that
her slender form was shaken with sohs,
and he sprang to her assistance. But she
gave wild shrek and escaped from the
room, leaving the astonished lover gazing
into space.
He heard cries and EXPLANATIONS. the
hurry Of flying feet, doors slamming and
silence. He waited. but no one came
and he went home with profound con
viction that he had just escaped making
fool Of himself that Alma Bentley was
a woman with a past; that he would
call on her or cultivate her society no lon
ger. And he lay awake all night thank
ing his stars that he was not her accept
ed husband.
The next day he watched anSiously for
some worda note, any explanation
none came. He wandered that way in
the evening and finding the house dark
and closed was so piqued and furious
that he rang the bell and inquired If the
young woman was at home.
yes" the domestic said, 'but not able
10 see any one-quite thunder the doc
tors care"
'"The plot thickens," said the young
man to himself ms he turned away, more
in love than ever and determined to
probe the mystery to it's depths. Suppose
she had a past so had he, and he laugh
ed grimly as he thought of some pages
of his life that he would have been glnd
70 tear out and burn. Poor little girl
Some foolish romance Of her early teens
that had roses in it--and lover! What
then? How many love affairs of his own
had left memories and associations? Only
he was a man and could forget. Well,
he would teach her to forget If she would
give him her confidence-and love.
rlxF hut sNYa ALfn
week, two weeks, and when a third had
nearly passed met Alma face to face.
Both were riding, but she threw him a
sweet smile and bow as they passed,
and he thought he had never seen her
looking so WELL not excepting that fatal
evening of the roses.
After decorous time he called and
was as nervous as woman as he waited
TO hear the rustic Of her silken skirts and
learn from her lips the mystery of the m
cident of the roses.
There was no hint Of illness or pailor,
but Just a slight shade Of anxiety ON her
face as she cordially welcomed the young
man.
"You must have thought me out OF my
Senses" she said as soon as they were
seated, when | rushed out of the room
that night but could not help II. lost
all my self control and cried like a child.
Mamma said was very silly"
Were you so much oyercomeT asked
Lawrence kindly.
Overcome? / was blind, frantic with
pain
II have heard" said the young man.
"uf people 10 whom the odor Of certain
flowers was painful on account OF mem
cries. If had only known that my I'M
fortunate roses had the power 70 rouse
slumbering recollections Of happier days,
rather than revive such memories
would have left them 70 withcr on their
stems"
Memories ?" repeated Alma Vaguely
"What had they TO do with me! don't
understand you. Mr.. Hunter"
",Vas II not an oyeipoweing rnsli ~
associations connected with roses thar
brought on your attack Of illnessy'
Alma stared a moment. then laughed
mergily.
"No. indeed. II was the overpowering
rush OF bee concealed in one Of the
roses. and II stung my poor lip SO that !
was fright for weeks and suffered from