Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-05-29

them took her back to the days when
she had been 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 8
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 were 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 filed with their fra GRANGE.
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 Decora ton day came.
Mrs. Pe1l had gone much sooner than
usual to her work, and by hurrying a
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 GENE
terry. The day was to be holiday.
She had just unlocked her door. and
entered her room, when Mrs. Wilkes
came in. Her eyes were swollen from
crying.
Sure, and what's the matter ?' cried
Mrs. Pell.
die. The woman that's been takin'
care of her wrote to tell me. And she
wants to see me once more"
''Well, sure and you'll be agoin'," said
Mrs. Pell.
Mrs. Wilkes burst into tears. "It's
that I'm feelin' so bad about It costs
three dollars to go, and me with moth
in but dollar and half to my name
You see, paid the rent two days ago.
And not one of the neigh bors with a
cent to lend me-
sand 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!"
Its too bad, it is" exclaimed Mrs.
Pell. "Sure and I 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. ''EI-
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, I 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 awav
with a 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 were not Decoration
day! She wanted to put flowers on
their graves al the time that other peo-
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-
manned in deep thought for some min
utes. Then she turned suddenly and
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 her precious ST. s in her
hand.
There" she said, "just take it. Hurry
and get ready. and I'll go to the train
with you. l do hope you'll find Sallie
alive"
0nbi., or;ed NfrS yV;ll-ae sss,,ra 81