The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-05-27
the Chicago Advance. The sight of
them took her back to the days when
she had been so haDDy

she Hdu Deen SO happy.
Then had come the dark time when |
her husband returned from the war
with broken health. To mend their
fortunes they had come to the city
But things had gotten worse. Her
husband had soon died. She and Teddy
had struggled alone. She had looked
forward to the day when Teddy would
be taking care of her, for he was q
good boy. But he had been laid beside
his father eight years ago. How he
had loved those roses! He had often
said that he would have garden full
of them when he was a man. He would
be man now if he We're living.
The Sunday before Decoration Mrs.
Pell went to church and returned by
way of her favorite garden. She
stopped to look at the white roses.
There were such quantities of them.
The air was filled with their fragrance.
How she wished that she could have
enough of them to cover her graves!
Somehow, they seemed sweeter than
the flowers at the florists.
The day before Decoration day came.
usual to her work. and by hurrying
great deal, had been able to return
home at four instead of six, her usual
hour.
1t was her plan to put on her best
clothes and then go to the florists and
select and order her flowers. She
would call for them early the next
morning, and take them to the ceme-
terry. The day was to be a holiday.
She had just unlocked her door. and
entered her room, when Mrs. Wilkes
came in. Her eyes were swollen from
crying.
s.Sure, and what's the matter?" cried
Mrs. Pell
cts Sally. She's sick, and goin' to
die. The woman that's been takin'
care of her wrote to tell me. And she
wants to see me once more"
Swell. sure and you'll be agoin'," said
Mrs. Pell.
Mrs. Wilkes burst into tears. cts
that I'm feelin' so bad about. 1t costs
three dollars to go, and me with moth
in but a dollar and half to my name
You see, paid the rent two days ago.
And not one of the neigh bors with
cent to lend me-"
"And it's too bad, it is" calculated
Mrs. Pell, feelingly.
Eyes, and there's train at seven"
said Mrs. Wilkes. with fresh tears.
'Unless-" she went on hesitatingly,
you could lend me enough!"
cts too bad, it is" exclaimed Mrs.
Pell. "Sure and ! paid my rent last
week, too" She looked distressed.
She was always anxious to help anyone
in trouble.
81 know-but-' Mrs. Wilkes hest
tated more than before Gil
thought perhaps you'd let me have that
money you saved for the flowers. Poor
Sallie! I'd like to see her once more.
She's my own sister. sure
LEND you that money. Oh! Mrs.
Wilkes, | can't! I've had my heart set
so long on GOVERN the graves this Dec
Grafton day"
81 thought likely you wouldn't want
to. Poor Sallie! And I'll never see
her again. Mrs Wilkes turned away
with hopeless air, and went slowly
back to ,her room
Mrs. Pell hastily prepared to go to
the florists to select and order her
flowers. She felt very sorry for Mrs.
Wilkes, but of course she could not
lend her that money. If she had saved
it for any other purpose but that! She
had tried for so many years to,be able
to cover those graves with roses, and
now when she had the money--to give
it all up.
| She hoped Mrs. Wilkes did not think
her mean. She would have been glad
to do anything else for her.
And it was pity that she could not
see her sister before she died She was
the only relative she had too.
If it had only not been that
money! And if it We're not Decoration
day! She wanted to put flowers on
their graves at the time that other pco-
pie were remembering their dead.
Mrs. Pell's steps became slower and
slower. and as she came in sight of the
florists shop, she stood still. and re-
NAMED in deep thought for some min
utes. Then she turned suddenly ard
walked back to the tenement and into
Mrs. Wilkes room. She found the lat
ter sitting with her face in her hands
and crying.
Mrs. Pell put precious 81 .es in her
hand.
There" she said. .iusd tal<eit Hurry
and get ready. and Ill 60 to the train
with you. | do hope you'll find sallie
alive"
"Oh!, cried Mrs. Wilkes. ..sure and