The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-10
THE BIG LILY.
An Easter Story. BY PAUL C. WELLARn.

Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub
 fishing Col
 Tomorrow will be Easter" Mrs Fleming said 1t thoughfully. almost
 sadly. They had breakfasted in si-
 fence but at this remark her hus-
 band raised his eyes from his plate
 and cast an angry look at her. a look
 so full of meaning that she asked tim
 idly. Why. Frank what have l
 q understand what you're thinking ) or and you needn't say 1t. Don't speak of 8 hat"
 But I haven't even thought of a hat: honestly and truly. I haven't" | "oh, I know" he went on. roughly,
 to you Easter spells millinery and clothes, You live for those things. You forget"
 But I don't"
 T say you forget how we are situ- ! ated. Haven't I worn my fall overcoat all winter?"
 l T know you have and I'm sorry" "Yo uknow that I haven't earned a dollar in two months and I haven't the slightest idea how I am going to care?",
 "oh. Frank. I do realize all that, and know how hard you have tried to 1 earn something for my sake. Don't think that I am ungrateful. think ! sou lSdlty dEc unjust.
 Maybe I am," he muttered, push Ing his chair back and rising hast | fly. T am probably unreasonable and possibly I'm fool, but know that. in your own mind. you want all sorts of things that, just now, l can't buy | and you blame me accordingly. won't be home to luncn." As he passed through the door he | caught a photographic glimpse of two sorrowful. pleading eyes, eyes that begged for something. and that some- thing was not Easter 1nery. In his prosperous times he would have made for the elevated and caught the first train for his office, but now he had no office and he could not af~ ford to spend a nickel. so he walked. The spring sun, warm and bright, gave | a softness to the air and flooded the streets with its cheerful rays, but as Fleming paced off block after block he grew more and more gloomy and downhearted He kept thinking of the woman he had just left sitting at the breakfast table with the pleading | look in her eyes. Could it be that she was the same sweet girl that had placed her hand SO trustingly in his two years before amid scenes of plenty and rejoicing? And could 1t be that he was the same Frank Fleming that mad sought her so persistently and been called a lucky dog for winning her? Was he a lucky dog in that re- spect? Ills conscience answered "Yes." How proud of her he had been and how gladly he had promised to love, honor and protect her! And he had meant to keep his pledge, but. l somehow. since he had Tailed. things had been different. Was 1t her fault? Surely she had stood by him through everything. She had cut down the household expenses and practiced the most severe economy. She had made over her clothes time and again and he could not remember when she had had anything new. She had given up all the little luxuries that she had been accustomed to and through it all she had been patient and hopeful and found not one word of fault.
 He had suffered keeniy from morti- fcation and disappointment and he had grown sullen and gloomy. He had been unkind to her and he realized now how unjust 1t was Just now he had spoken harshly to her simply be- cause she had reminded him that to- morrow would be Easter. Perhaps she had been thinking of that other Easter just before they were married. He remembered well that on that day he had sent her a lily in full bloom and how happy she had been. How differ- ent the coming Easter would be for her!
 He was passing a florists shop, it's windows banked with flowers Of many hues. He paused and looked in. Yes, there was Easter lilies, tall and grace ful. with snow-whlte flowers, the same that had carried his message of love two Easters ago. If he had loved her then, how much more ought he to love her now, when she was all he had left!
 He walked on slowly, absorbed in the memory of happier years, and half unconsciously drew out his purse. 4 five dollar bill! This he would have to break to buy a monday lunch, and when 1t was gone he would have no money. He replaced the purse with sigh and stood on the curb looking into the confusion of the street, but he saw none of the passing vehicles, nothing but those soft, pleading. half weeping eyes. Poverty he could en- dure, hunger too, if need be, but not the reproach of those eyes. He could not give her money, but he could give her his love. and he knew that she would not ask for more. With a sud- den resolve he returned to the shop
 T wish to look at the lilies" he said.
 we have some very nice ones" Is two dollars"
 And the others?"
 ''This one is three dollars. and here Is a very fine one for three-fifty."
 Fleming hesitated.
 If these ar endt large enough, we have one that is still larger" He brought forward a plant that made eyes sparkle with admira- ton. It was very large and graceful | and. crowned with a great confusion l of buds and blossoms. There is | magnificent lily, the largest we have | In stock" 1
 How much Is it?"
 ''Five dollars"
 T hardly know. I am getting it for | a-a-lady."
 The clerk smiled knowingly. Buy l her this one if you want to give ner l a happy Easter" he said.