The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-05-22

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 Don 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 a garden full
of them when he was a man. He would
be a 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 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.
Mrs. Pell had gone much sooner than
usual to her work, and by hurrying a
gre2t deal, had~heen able to return
home at four instead of six, het usual
hour.
1t was her plan to put o 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.
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. Its
that I'm feelin' SO bad about. 1t costs
three dollars to go, and me with moth
In but a dollar and a half to NY name.
You see, 1 paid the rent two days ago.
And not one of the neighbors with a
cent to lend me-"
"And it's too bad, it is" calculated
Mrs. Pell, f%eelingly.
Yes, and there's a 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 1 paid my rent last
week. too" She looked distressed.
She was always anxious to help anyone
in trouble.
ST know-but-" Mrs. Wilkes hest
tated more than before. "I-I-
thought perhaps you'd let me nave that
money you saaNsas for h ecfiowers. Poor
sallie! I'd liksN4o see her once more.
She's my w sister. sure"
"Lend you that money! Oh! Mrs
Wilkes, / can't! I've had my heart SCI
SO long On coverin' the graves this Dec,
Grafton day"
~ thought likely you wouldn't want
to. Poor SalIie! And I'll never see
her again" Mrs. Wilkes turned away
with a hopeless air, and went slowly
back to her room.
Mrs. Pell hastily prepared to go te
the florists to select and order he1
flowers. She felt very sorry for Mrs
Wilkes, but Cf course she could moi
lend her that money. If she had saved
it fqrsnny other purpose. but that! She
had tried for 81 many years to be able
''assto cover those graves with roses, ant
Tnow when she had the money--to give
it all up.
She hoped Mrs. Wilkes did not thinl
her mean. She would have been glat
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 thai
money! And if it were not Decoration
gday! She wanted to put flowers or
their graves at thestime that otherpeo
pleawere remembering their dead.
Mrs. Pell's steps became slower anG
slower, and as she came in sight of thu
florists shop, she stood still, and re
manned in deep thought FOR some min
utes. Then she turned suddenly ans
walked back to the tenement. and into
Mrs. Wilkes room. She found the lat
ter sitting with her face in her hand.
and crying.
Mrs. Pell put her precious S1.6sin he1
hand.
ssThere, /" she said, 'sjjust take it. Hurry
and get ready, and I'LL go to the trair
with you. I do hope you'll find Sallit
alive"
"oh!' cried Mrs. Wilkes, sure and ]