The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-05-31
bending the branches over and break
ing of full purple clusters.

bending the branches over and break
ing of full purple clusters.
What you picking those lilacs for?''
II just thought I'd pick few"
"What for? amt going to have
any in the house!They're too sweet
they're sfckfsh!"
81 amt going to bring them into the
house." said Lucy. She let a branch
fly back and went across the yard with
great bunch Of lilacs in her hands.
II wonder what she's up to?" said
her mother.
Lucy returned just before the pro-
cession passed. The cemetery was a
little way beyond the house. Her
mother and aunt, and neighbor who
had come In stood at the windows
listening eagerly to the approaching
music. Lucy Joined them. The pro-
cesison filed slowly past: The Grand
Army men, the village band, the min
listers and local dignitaries, and the
rear-guard Of children with flow ers.
An accompanying crowd thronged the
sidewalks.
1--WE just been saying to Sarah that
| Phebe. Ann won't have Sylvester's
grave decked out much this year,"
said Mrs. Kemp. Her voice was pleas
anter and more guarded than before.
II heard Phebe Ann was pretty
low" said the neighbor.
Phebe AIMS husband went softly
behind the nurse to the bedroom.
Phebe Ann looked up at him and beck
oned imperatively. He went close and
bent over her. What is it, Phebe
I Ann?" said he.
els it-Decoration day." she whis-
pered with difficulty, for she was
growing very weak.
eyes, tits, Phebe Ann" said her
husband.
! "Have you got-any flowers for
Sylvester's grave?"
mo, amt. I amt thought OF It.
Phebe Ann, with your being so sick,
and all"
"Go-get some!" she painted. Her
motioning hand and her eager eyes
spoke louder than her tongue.
eyes. I will, I will, Phebe Ann!
Don't you fret another mite about it."
The nurse followed him out Of the
room.
II can't go to the greenhouse" he
whispered agitatedly. "It's five miles
away!"
Land, get any kind Of fowers!"
said the nurse. "Get dandelions and
buttercups. If you can't find anything
else.'
The old man took his hat down with
a bewildered air and went slowly out
of the yard. At the gate he paused
and looked around. There were no
flowers in the yard; there were several
bushes, rose and phlox, but it was too
early for them to blossom. Over at
the left stretched field. and that was
waving with green and gold. Phebe
AIMS husband went over into the
field and began pulling the buttercups
in great handfulls, and the grass with
them. He had all he could carry
when he left the field and went SOL
emily down the road
Sylvester's grave was at the farther
side Of the cemetery. The old man,
with his load Of buttercups and grass,
made his way to it. The soldiers
graves were decorated with flags and
flowers, but the people had gone. The
cemetery was very still. When John
Kemp reached Sylvester's grave, hs
started and stared. There was great
bunch of lilacs on the grave and three
charming, delicate pink roses in
vase
II wonder who put those flowers
there!" he muttered He laid the but
tercups and grass down on the grave;
then he stood still. 1t was over twen-
ty years since the boy Sylvester had
been laid there-a little soldier who
had fought only his own pain. II
wonder who put those flowers there!"
John Kemp muttered again.
He went out Of the cemetery. but
instead Of turning down the road
toward his own home, walked hesi-
tatingly the other way toward the
house Of his sister-in-law-Thom
wife. as he always spoke Of her. /
Lucy's face was at one open win
dow, her Aunt Sarah Cooks at the
other:
Lucy" called the old man. stand
ing al the gate.
Lucy came out to him tremblingly.
Sarah Cook ran to tell her sister; she
thought Phebe Ann must be dead.
'sDo you know who put those now
ers there?" asked the old man III !
husky voice. Is Ss 8,ss
T did" said Lucy Her face flushed:
II thought there Wouldn't be anybody
to see to II. now Aunt Phebe Ann u |
sick" she e1plained timfdly. u
Her uncle looked wistfully at her,
his eyes full 81 tears sylvester was
9 dreadful sufferer. he said.
] Lucy did not SNOW what to say. She
looked up at him. and her soft face
seemed TOR bake on distressed Hines like /
his.
The old man turned abruptly ana
went away Iahsbss Ann. q sinking.',
he said. indlstinctly. = he vent