The Elbert County tribune., 1903-05-28
arms the slim little white figure lyine

arms the slim little white figure flying
down the stairs.
you shall help me, my precious!'
she promised. And she touseled the
clustering eurls on the dark little head
and pressed with her own the rosy lips
that were ripe for kisses. Breakfast
over, the two settled to work. for
Roslne had decided views OF her own
as to the relative merits OF set de
signs In contradiction to the prefer
ence of Miss Charteris for less formal
symbols. And all the time the hazel
eyes sparkled and the restless little
tongue talked trippingly on.
You have to work awful hard. don't
you, Auntie Jean? Did you get 3illie's
mothers dress done? Did Billie come
for It? I'd like Billie-if he wasn't
freclsled. Nora says you used to be
rich. She says you lived in that big
stone house with the fountain in the
yard. She says my mamma was rich.
too. until after my papa went away
and left her. And then she came to
live in this little weeny house with
you. And then God wanted her. What
made you and my mamma get poor?
And why doesn't my papa come back?
And why wouldn't God let my mamma
stay here? And does she know when
we put all these pretty flowers ON her
graye?"
So for the two in the bright little
room. plain to severity save for its
books and green things growing and
air of indefinable refinement, the per
feet day wore on. If now and then
Jeans sweet face paled and her sensi-
tive lips quivered. these the absorbed
little maiden did not notice at all.
How should a prattling child. busy
with a wreath. dream that her words
might wound?
They stood at the gate to see the
procession wind blythe hobbling vet
erans. the women OF the Relief Corps.
the townspeople in vehicles and afoot,
the uniformed band. the excited chill
dren running at either side. But the
sun had gone down in splendor Of
scarlet and gold. the streets were be-
ing fast deserted. and all the air was
still stepped in amber brilliance. when
Jean Charteris and the little girl car
ried their treasures between them up
the green velvet sward of that sloping
hill, sacred to silence and to sweet.
safe slumber.
The grave yard knew now no pres
ence save their own On several
graves were fiags-on the greater
number flowers. But some were bare
of bloom. And from one to another
of these the late-comers moved, leav-
ing some sprays on each. Then they
sought a certain conner, where SIM
Pile stone recorded briefly a young
wife's death.
You shall place them ALL" said
Jean Charteris. She gave Rosine the
basket, and stood leaning against the
marble shaft, her black. trailing gown
| outlining her slender form, her head
dropping as though in weariness.
With unconscious elation the child
went about her task. And afar in the
road Billie watched her Billie, stiff
in his best Sunday suit. tortured by
new shoes, agonized by an unaccus-
toned collar. So absorbed was he in
following every movement of his idol
He turned with hasty exclamation
at touch on his shoulder-turned to
confront man who was decidedly q
stranger
The latter pointed to the dark figure
by the stone.
VINO" he asked. 'is that?'
That's Miss charteris. She lives
in the little old Chiffon cottage now.
She makes dresses"
MY Godi" the man murmured.
HAS 1t come to this with Jean?"
Conscious Of the boys sharp scrut-
iny the man took from his pocket two
pieces of metal-one brass. one silver.
Here take these down to the
agent. Give him the check and tell
him to send my trunk to the hotel. You
may keep the dollar!"
Billie grabbed the money and stimuli
taneuously uttered yell.
"Ro-sine!' He was valiant enough
in this plutocratic hour. "Ro-sinel
Come onl I'm goin to buy candyl"
A final placing of the last wreath,
an eager question, an answering nod
from the bowed head-then the child
was flying toward the road through the
mellowing radiancs of the fading light,
shouting questions to Billie as she
came Something In the slimming
flight OF the agile little body. in her