The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-02-23
SATURDAY EVENING ROSES.
BY HELEN H. GARDENER.

.
Copyright. 1909. by Daily Story Pub. Col
The two women sat in the semi-dusk
INDUCING in those friendly silences' so
dear to those who love too well to mis-
understand. The older. woman sighed
heavily and crossing to the couch, De-
gan to arrange the cushions as she
spoke. =
close my eyes? Come and sit near me.
That is right. Your hand Is always so
soft and deliciously soothing on my
There was that quality in the tired
voice that indicated the hostess desire
to entertain, and Florence Drew detect
ed 1t instantly, for this was one of her
own dominant traits of character;
Don't talk" she said. Rest for a
while, and go to sleep If you can. I'll
tell you when it is time to dress for
dinner" There was tightening OF the
handclasp between the two, just a sus-
closed lashes. and then Florence spoke
IF the door bell rings, I will 80. You
are not at home. You must rest tomgnt.
If it is any one to see me will take
him to the ~arlor. Don't move" The
closed lids trembled again, and there was
just a hint of a break in the voice;
1T Is 50 nice to have you with me;
So nice to have some one mother me! l
love to know that-Oh. Florence. darling;
Won don't know what you are to me!
How you rest me when ! come IN ~
tired from all the grind OF life. TO JUST
know that you are here-that your sweet
presence will welcome me and
The bell gave a violent ring, ana FLOR
ence Drew closed the door penlno ner
as she left the living-room OF the apart.
ment and started to the public entrance
hall, Presently she returned with a large
box Don't move. 1t is only package.
Looks like flowers. Your name Is on II.
Shall / open it?"
them in water came from the couch
in the same weary tones. "They are the
Saturday evening roses. I suppose.
"Oh. how lovely!' exclaimed Florence
lifting a great. luxuriant bunch OF long,
stemmed roses. How perfectly lovely!
But there Is no note-no card-ln the
box. Saturday evening roses, 1ndeed!
They are superb La France roses. ~! 10
you squander your money like that? Nv
cry Saturday? I remember now: I've
been here three weeks. and this is the
third time I have seen these come. same
box, same roses, same Sne sloppea
suddenly, with the great bunch held high
over a tall jardiniere. and looked across
at the reclining form.
"M-m-m! Who is her.
There was no reply. The younger Wo-
man Instantly regretted her sudden flip
pancy, for her friend was the proud, hap
py. loyal widow of famous man. One
could never think Of her as willing 10
marry again. Her friends were many.
Men all admired her, but they always
knew from her. first Of all, the ., secret ct
of her loyal heart, and her devotion TO
her dead hero. There was a long silence,
and then Florence spoke. again 1T That "a
1t was worthy of neither of u.s. dear
heart.
Come here, little one. Do you really
want to know about my Saturday even
ing roses? I have never told any one ne.
hotel-and have been for eight long
years. Never once have failed to come
whether I am here or not. was In
Florida four months last year, but not
a Saturday passed but that those roses Tse :
little girl you saw in the breakfast room
got them during that time. told the
clerk to give them to her until 1 got
back think her mother rather re-
There was a shade of kindly. sarcasm In
the tone. and then sigh. She reached
out in the gathering darkness and the
two hands met again in a comprehend
ing clasp as Florence sank on has
sock beside the couch. ..,