The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-19
"A CALLA LILY"
BY MRS. wIL DER RosTIcK.

T suppose you have heard that Curh Bennett leaves for San Diego tomorrow. to accept position with the Brown Will son Co., said Bella Watterson. without changing her position at the window. A sharp little cry was her only answer Why what is the matter" cried Bella as she caught sight of Ruth's pale cheeks.
 Nothing. only prielked my finger" answered Ruth. bending low over her embroidery hoop. which held a tray cloth done in crysanthemums. upon which she was putting the finishing touches.
 There is his sister now" continued Bella, looking down upon a trim little pony phaeton, smartly making It's way up the street. 'T have no doubht she is coming to tell you about It. No, Bonnet is so nice, I know we can make you have lovely time when you visit me this fall. I simply think 1t was the will of proyi- dence that sent him to San Diego, any way"
 Perhaps the will of MT. Bennett had something to do with It. suggested Ruth with slight catch in her voice. You know you live there, Bella"
 That's all right Ruthy dear" replied Bella, as she turned to note the effect of the conversation upon her friend but Ruth had left the room.
 Hump" sneered Bella to herself, "I wonder if the little goose thinks l am blind enough not to see through her lit tie affair? Any crazy can see that Curtis Bonnet Is desperately in love with her -1,. ,f, ,stel nl,u r,rVf., things a bit when he gets settled in San Diego and I get back there."
 "Oh why hasn't Curtis told me that he Is gcing away? What can he mean by acting this way?" Ruth was asking herself over ard over again In the se- clusion of her room. ITO think that he is going tomorrow and I round 1t out only accidentally-and through Bella Watterson at that" She stopped before mirror and shook loose a wealth of reddish bronze hair and examined crit icaly her fair smooth brow. "The Brown ings have always been considered beau tiful," said she, looking wistfully into the big brown eyes refecting In the mir TOT, and I do hope that my looks are no discredit to them.'
 A ring at the door interrupted Ruth s unpleasant reflections. Arranging her hair she hurried down stairs to meet
 
 invited to meet Bella and spend the day That afternoon as they were playing croquet upon the lawn, negro boy came swiftly Up the driveway bearing a basket
 For Missy Ruth" said he with a grin, as he presented basket of maiden hair fern with one superb waxy white calla lily resting in the center, and the white corners of a note peeping out from 4l.. ful' they chorused.
 When the basket had been admired by each girl in turn, Ruth ran 10 the house to put her beauties in water. She met Bella coming down stairs.
 Did Curtis send them" demanded Bella. Ruth nodded gaily, "Do let me see the note" she begged, but Ruth laughingly ran to lock it away in her jewelry case. "I don't care if you wont' said Bella hotly She bit her lip in vexaton. but was determined that she would see the note before she slept
 As soon as the girls left, Ruth hurried to her room to re-read her note. It ran thus:
 My Dear Ruth: leave tomorrow for San Diego. I have not told you before because I thought to call tonight to say goodby, but have just received a tele- gram from my employer, MT Wilson, telling me 10 come on tnlS afternoon s train. So I will not get to see my little friend before I go, but beg that she will accept a flower in token of our continued friendship, which, l trust, will not end so tragically as did that in an old legend which comes to mind just now You re- member a certain valiant knight who, when about to ride forth to the joust to do battle for his lady fair, came into his garden by moonlight ana, taking three steps backward, at the same time whispering his lady's name, plucked two white flowers from the same tree. One he sent to his lady love, the other he kept; but in the morning when he come to pay homage to his rose. To, 1t had turned black, which proved that his lady loved another. Wherewith he straight way sheathed his sword and pined away and died.
 T shall look at my calla in the morn ing Will write as soon as l get to San Diego. Lovingly,
 70. Bennett"
 Just before saying her prayers that night Ruth stopped and tenderly kissed her lily, but Bella continued to write until Ruth slept.
 Angels defend usi' cried Bella the next morning, as she rastened the last hook in her breakfast jacket and turned to the table upon which Ruth had placed her precious lily" if that thing isn't be- witched. I vow by my complexion paste that that lily was as white as a ghosts rig last night when l turned out the lights. and now-well 1t is as black as