River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-03-27


He would have been a churlish con-
ductOr who would not have smiled. 1t
was balmy outdoors, as il the very
approach Of Easter had put to rOut
the long, dreary winter. All along the
river bank on well kept lawns there
were patches of soft, tender green.
Inside the car there was more green.
The 20 passengers hailed from the
Lady Lindsay school, and 10 pairs of
arms were tucked about pots wound
in green crepe paper. Each pot held
a tall stalk of Easter lilies.
The car stopped before the hospital
and the 20 girls climbed the long flight
of steps leading to the low brick
building that struggled over the hill
top. At the end came Miss Mary, the
principals daughter, and Honor Wes
ley. Miss Mary's lilies brushed Hon
or's hair occa sionally. She was the
only girl in the party who had brought
no flowers. She had excused herself
by saying she needed all her money
for her Easter visit to New York
"All right" said Miss Mary, cheer
fully, "probably there will be lilies
enough to go around. There are sell
dom more than Is or 10 beds occupied
in the long white ward"
Honor was left alone while her
schoolmates tiptoed about among the
patients. She had not imagined she
could feel lonely here. She was-she
was lonelier than any of the women
in the narrow beds. The nurses were
bustling here and there among the
girls, there were low bursts of laugh
ter and greeting as if everybody knew
one another. On the small table be-
side each bed stood pot of lilies. A
delicate fragrance was already watt
ed about the long room. There were
smiles on pinched faces that lay on
the white pillows, and there were wan
faces that flushed rosily. Honor be-
gan to feel terribly alone and awk-
wardand ashamed; then Miss Mary
came hurrying to her.
Honor" she said, 'Tm so sorry. We
are short just one pot of lilies. 1t is
for poor old lady at the end of the
ward. Nobody seemed to notice her
at first; there was screen by her bed.
She lies there gazing down the ward
with such a pathetic look in her eyes.
I'm going to telephone for another
pot to Farlow's"
LET me go for it, Miss Mary-let me
give it to her"
Miss Mary looked at Honor keenly.
''Are you sure you can afford it?
Won't it break in on your trim to New
York;"
mo, it won't" and the girls face
grew scarlet. 81 don't believe knew
what doing things like this means.
am so glad there was one bed too
many"
$50 am I, Honor" said Miss Mary,
heartily.
The girls were waiting in knot by
the hospital door when Honor jumped
off the car with her arms about a green
wrapped pot. The tall, slender stalk
with its snowy blossoms almost hid
the girls radiant face.
Il believe she has grown during her
ride up from town." thought Miss
Mary, but she said: Honor. I've ar
ranged with the matron to let you
visit with the old lady till five O'Clock.
| think it will do you good to know
her. I'll send Miss Brown for YOU"
When Miss Mary reached the school
she went to her mothers room and
shut the door. Mamma she said,
while she pulled off her gloves, 81 be-
ieve | have found somebody in the
hospital who will teach Honor Wesley
more than we cam
I'm terribly disappointed in the
girl" said the sweet-faced old lady,
VINO sat by the window, sewing. eve
just had letter from Honor's guard
ian about her New York trip. He sent
her check last week for 500 for the
two weeks holiday. yet she could not
afford pot of lilies. This thought of
the sick whom others don't remember
meant Mary Linden going home in the
day coach instead of the parlor car,
and Lucy Craig giving up pair of
kid gloves to afford the lilies. That is
the sort of thing love to see my girls
do. 1t could scarcely have meant a
bit of self-denial to Honor"