The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-09
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY

another'S shoulders Their action 'toio her ali she wished to know, and more; :.
 "Roustabout smssner e enotSes 9S in passns. Guess the poor devil hadn't got over ns last nights fun" ,r.. The society reporter shuddered The careless words jarred her out or an p.u portion to their carelessness. She was hungry and tired and her nerves moaneu for sleep, but she shrank from returnlns to her room and that box 1t held II was as though something dear but deau wa S waiting for her tbere--aH the hopes ana Ina appiness of her life. lying upon HeI waiting her hand to consien tnsn ~ an everia sting tomb. She leaned aeahsss s a pile of cotton bales and tried to taks In tnes and bis loaded boats. and the fitful sui1beans flecking the grim smokestacks and ulintinR through the clouds or steam But everything seemed subdued ana out of heart. ai,, The dean s;,nan An Tor " "such I pre- Jude, She would have been glad 10 go away, but where? No work to do, no lunch to be eaten and her eyes 100 ured to read. Even this was better tnan an. 'ne as but the sparrows, and the danger or De- ing hurt again by that mocking-pir wno alone seemed not to know that tooay was the day for soiemnfty ana saahsSs i,;s She sighed a little and went on watching the boats. Night seemed long ways on: Even when 1t came those things would still be in her room.
 Having holiday?' The voice was inc quick glance over her shoulder to tell her that the casualty man was at her elbow. She nodded and went on look ing at the boats.
 showing a pencil and pad into his pocket. Mean job down there He nodded to- ward the sugar sheds.
 "Oh. you have been down there." she articulated coldly.
 isn't soft snap for me- He moved to lean beside her and lowered his voice
 Well. were my roses humble enough with ashes upo.l their heads? couldn't find any sack-cloth
 The society reporter looked quickly into his honest eyes and not. unexpected
 Never mindH' He let his sleeve touch hers and looked at the boats until sh, got back the mastery.
 T didn't understand" she said pres entIy, speaking in a low. steady voice.
 T should have written. but I didn't know what to write. Never mind. We and then you are going to have some thing hot to eat Ash Wednesday or no Ash Wednesday,"
 T feel more like doing penance for be- ing such an idiot she remarked as they
 You were tired out. little girl.' He took her arm to guide her over cross ing. We were both tired. I guess"
 The streets were no longer deserted. Business men were going to lunch. news boys whistling office-ward to await af ternoon editions. complacent looking peo- pie thronging from the churches: and over all. a blue sky and placid sunshine no longer fitful.
 Isn't 1t strange how ones feelings af- feet the face of everything she remark ed. This morning l could see only ashes and now-there are roses everywhere
 That's all right" he replied cheerily, and drew the arm he held a little closer
 The casualty man was strong man, capable of sketching the mangled remains of a dead negro one moment and ths next making love to the dearest woman in the world. But, indeed. there Is need of strong men, for life is full of ashes and of roses, strangely mingled.