The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-03

seemed suddenly to have becOn1e q blank. and my lips to have grown stfff. At last he said. touching one of tho roses in my hand: win you give me that rose. by which to remember the happy old days. They were happy, is 1t nor so. little one7" held the rose toward him and said, tremblingly. T should not have to ask a rose from you to remind me of all the happy times we have had. of your goodness to me, of how you have been to me like-like-another
 "Yes another father" he repeated softly. And now. I am going away" said nothing, but the deadly sink ing at my heart must have showed itself in my face. for he suddenly and kindly took my hand. You will be sorry to lose your old friend. You will miss me. It will seem strange when l do not come once twice, three times a week. When your dear father sits here alone, or with some one who is not me. Well, little one, serve for them well the wine; fill for them we'll the pipes. he concluded with an effort at gaiety I jerked my hand from his and rose, trembling With emotion.
 Fl can't-can't let you go away" I cried passionately. Ut is dreadful. I have never thought of you going away"
 Ut is quite natural you should feel sorrow. little one, to part rom one you have known all your life. You will remember me, Is it not so? Now pin for me the rose In my coat and we will say goodbye bravely, for a year, S-. ff,rf fhrnn sf
 He picked up one of the roses from the table where I had thrown them and put 1t into my hand, and I man. aged to pin 1t on his coat S5ith hands that trembled pitifully. And then he led me silent and pale into the house. And that was all.
 And so he went. and with him. seemed to go out every vestige or my gay careless youth.
 When was five and twenty l mar ried Arthur. He was one of many suitole, for was very pretty and quite an heiress. My father and mother wished the match and he loved me. I think I made a good. dutiiul wife. Our little girl was years old, when one day I sat sewing. while she played. in the old summer house. A maid came running from the house With a. letteT. A IHeoSchSei !ihu cioee"S It. tore 1t open.
 "Dear child" 1t read "I am very i'll in the - Hospital Will you come to me. Your old friend.
 "Silvio del Bardo."
 I had thought hlm across the sea! The sunshine turned black and the beating of my heart suffocated me. did not move. The maid recalled me to myself
 q hope 1t Is not bad news. ma'am."
 T do not know. Stay with the chGd."
 He lay with closed eyes, scarcely seeming to breathe. He had been in the hospital some days. the nurse said. At first they were hopeful of his recovery. Now, he was sinking fast stood at the foot of his bed waiting for him to open his eyes. Old fancies. old dreams. old remembrances surging through my mind,
 Tt was my blood you split over the side of the glass that ran down upon the floor. The rose I have it still; but I am an old man now-I was old then. Your father. perhaps. was right"
 Dear friend. do you not know me" I asked bending over him. and taking his hands.
 Little one. 'it:is one. have you come at last.
 "I did not know before that you were here. An. why did you not send for mel"
 "It was useless to worry you. child But now-there Is no harm. I think. Do not weep-do not weep"
 l fell on my knees and laid my cheek upon his hand. He gently stroked my hair.
 Look up." he said at last. did so. You have not greatly changed. But there is something in your face do not remember Sorrow. perhaps. has brought it. Your father and mother, they are dead. It Is good to see you once more"
 There was a pause. and when he spoke again. his mind wandered.
 Ut was not wine, 1t was my blood that was split The rose: have 1t still. but am an old man. Your father, perhaps. was right. But l love-
 "It is over." said the nurse. a few moments later.
 I stopped and kissed his brow. have learned many things. among them that ones soul loves but once. MAXWELL" by H. s. Canheld.