The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-13
lTHE cIclAcIA. ]
BY JAMEs xEIsER.

Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub Col
 Aloysius sent them, two tiny pei. let's, no larger than grains of wheat each swathed in seven pounds of cot ton and wool packing. The express charges were eighty-four dollars, for which paid. not Aloysius.
 They are doubtless the seed of some prehistoric tree" he wrote. per haps the sacred flower. worshipped by the Arcadiansi For why else should old King Apalonius. whose remains we have just exhamed. have had them concealed in 8 ring which he stt1f wore on his fingerT
 As Aloysius directed. planted one seed in sheltered spot beside the bench in my patchwork of a garden where spend my few hours Of ieis- ure daily; and where, as Aloysfus in- timated. there would be the least danger of my neglecting the precious weed. The other one slowed away in the tray of casket, locking 1t up with my most ,alaable keepsake, namely, the manuscript of Patricia" ! By midsummer-it was early spring when received them--the seed had taken root and had grown into a mag inefficient lilac bush. though the leaves were larger. resembling those of the
  those of the begonia. And then in a single week a large stalk. capped by . buIu, shot out Of the very center of the bush and, after describing a great parabola. rested on the back of the bench with the enormous bulb tilted upward.
 For a fortnight the bud continued to swell. Meanwhile I wrote letter each day urging Aloysius to hasten ha hn h1na. soming of the remarkable plant.
 It was the night Aloysius should have arrived. rev nber it quite And, dear me. why should n't I? As I sat there in the moon- light was startled by n rustlins sound at my side. turned quickly and behold! The blossom was open Ing. The green ca1yx rolled back and there-! The most exquisite co1orings nearly as I could makeout in the un. certain light. Still the petals un. furled, until--heavens. A girl lay in the very midst Of them, asleep! A haired maid, clad m white rafment that dropped about the con- tours of the body. What eyelashes! What a throat, so full and round and white! One slender hand and wrist rested across her bosom, which rose ana Ieil HI TestGul SiunlDeT.
 She moved, stretched an arm above her head. yawned, then sat bolt up- right and said, "Oh!" But, dear me, [ was too startled to offer an apology.
 Where is Hecula?" she asked, looking anxiously about the garden.
 T beg your pardon" said I. but did you inquire for somebody?'
 t'Hecula; where is Hecula?" she pleaded:
 If fTecula is your maid. you need have no fear; Anette will attend to
 a'No. no; he is my lover. Where is hep ss
 My child" I, protested. soothingly, .tf you cannot find your sweetheart do not be distressed. There are thousand, aye. million gallants such eyes as yours may choose from. Now. there Is Aloysius--p
 What have you done7'' she cried: the blossom swayed with her violent with Hecula7"
 Nothing I assure you.''
 NO, no; the other seed. King Apa- tonius promised that we should bloom together
 "I believe understand you now" said I, humbly. "Hecula still exists In the embryo. safely tucked away Wttn my EatfiCld. I kGftf SOfHG full mistake has been made"
 70, you musty old foof--you med dier! o, could--oh. oh, oh," she buried her face in the soft petals and sobbed bitterly.
 My child" I said. edging closer to the blossom and taking her hand in my own, my child, forgive me. iidn't know; and. well. that incubus is responsible. He told me to plant one seed, not both of them. It was his command" said some other things. too, which sound quite silly to me now that, I recall them. But she was very byautiful and 1t distressed me sorely to see her weep
 "But if you only knew how dear 1ecula is to me. And Apalonius promised that we should bloom to- gether every hundred years. for ever and ever. Tell me-" she raised her face and looked into my eyes, her own limpid ones glistening with moisture, ''has 1t been 8 hundred yearsT"
 I'm afraid it has. You see. AIoy- sius, who is always exhuming things and sending them to me with a lot uf nonsensical instructions. disinter- red Apaionius last spring from the tomb whehe he has lain for eight thousand years"