The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1901-01-25
the MEMORY OF ROSE.
BY MARIE LINDA BENSEL.

Dave came leisurely from the fields
and enscOnsced himself in the most
com mfortable Of the rush-h0tt0med
rockers on the front porch. The heat
of the midday sun forbid any further
blowing until the willows would cast
long shadows over the creek that
wound, like silver thread, along the
outskirts Of the field. 1t was the
midday of Dawes life as we'll and the
partner Of his his joys and sorrows had
lain sleeping peacefully now through
many long summer days. The little
life that was to brighten the home on
the hillside, had gone out too, one
summer day, and Dave had been left
alone. Dave came home to the darken'
ed rooms aud bruOded. Sallie HaDkins
his maiden sister, came to the farm
and assumed the household duties,
and life at the farm began anew with
the memory OF Rose narrowed down
into a quiet walk to the county GENE
terry on Sunday afternoon. a bit OF
fresh ivy twned about the girlish por'
trait in the stiff front parlOr, and
whispered name at family prayer
Not that Dave had forgotten or had
ceased to care. But the wound was
healed.
Sallie Hankins' shrill voice pene
trated from kitchen to the front porch
"Dinner be ready, Dave"
The farmer numbered through the
hallway out to the kitchen. The mea
was eaten in silence, save for the oc
casional chlrp of pet bird hanging Ia
his gilded cage by the window.
"Be you goin' to the fair tonight
Dave?"
"Mebbc am, and mebbe won't,
was Dawes satisfactory rejOinder
giving his undivided attention to q
glass of buttermilk.
ELIZA Walters III be there" ventur
ed Sallie. "They say she's t1ne.lookin
woman. Old Walters left her wei
purvided for, Sarah Turner says, anG
she ought to know"
Dave cut of another slice OF bread
and gave no sign that he heard.
Il haven't seen her since she's back,
Sallic continued.
II hev," replied her brother. HI
rose, pushed back his chair from the
table. and left her wondering. II
Dave had been at all perturbed at tht
mention Of Eliza Walters name HI
failed tn show it. He had learned Il
ward off these delicate little attacks
from his sister, and he saw that heI
curiosity just now was al fever heat
Years ago, before Rose had become
part NJ Dawes little world, the hOnest
young farmer had aspired TO the hanC
oi the village belle. but Eliza Larkin
imperious little c0Quette. had snifiet
disdainfully at the brown hands, AM
the immense knucles Of poor Dav'
Hankins, and gladly consented to be
come Mrs. Joshua Walters. when tina
chance offered itself. For many year
the little village had not known her
for life In the city had wrought chan
yes. Therefore, when II became rumoI
ed abroad in bonneville that Eliz
Walters was Il widow, and was com
ing To live again in bonneville, ther
was more than a slight ripple Of e,
citement. And Dave Hankins rod
on that crest wave, for the gossip
somehow managed 1t that Dave wa
to come again to the court Of tn
queen, and be graciously received
Just as the "little bird" who bring
all the news, good and bad, and indl
ferent, reported that the wid"w wa
to take the handsomest outage on To
main street, 50 did that same It'll
bird whisper that there was y Iarg
balance 10 bank opposite the name q
Hankins.
"veni, vidi, vici." Dave vas cor
ouered, in this instance. Mr.. Hal
: kins and the Widow Walters 6ecanl
familiar figures TO bonneville In tt
flew weeks following. Hymn boOI
we're shared at meetings" ons lsrl