The Elbert County tribune., 1905-09-14
Roses or Daisies

1t was the round-faced daisies, not
the boys pleading eyes, that held her
gaze, yet she smiled winsomely into
the eager little face as she gave him
the coveted dime.
She smiled himsically as she took
her seat in a crowded car. She held
the daisies a moment against the
crimson roses on her breast, then re-
read Walter Antler's note:
Margaret Dear-It's hard lines that
l can't see you off, but Harding's out
on important business, and I can't
desert the ship. Shall be with you in
spirit, as are my roses in reality.
Write me at once on your arrival.
shall be up soon for my answer.
Good-by, dearest. My own dearest,
God grant, some day. Yours only.
Walter"
She leaned her fair face to the roses
and breathed deeply. 1t was so sweet
to know that she was all in all to the
winning, successful man. Her eyes
fell to the daisies, and with a sudden
suffocation she opened the window.
'Is it too much air for you" she
asked courteously OF the plain, middle
aged woman beside her.
The woman laughed pleasantly.
There can't be too much air for me.
I've been to the city for two weeks an
I'm downright hungry for Whit of
fresh air. l had a good time, guess.
Leastways l did what folks there call
havin' good time. But I've had all
ever want. Mercerville's good enough
for me after this
The girls face grew serious. 1t was
the charm of the city that had taken
her away from her father and mother
and Jack. For two years the city
had held her, and till just the month
before she had thought she loved it
too well to leave it for even a few
weeks vacation. Then had come a
longing. desperate heart sickness for
green fields, peaceful nights and the
fragrant cooling of the hills. She
would grow tired of them in a few
weeks, she thought YEARLY. She
would long then just as earnestly for
the brilliantly lighted restaurants, the
Hungarian music. the sparkle and life
of the gay crowds about her. She
would want the theaters, the concerts,
the streets pulsing with humanity.
Jack met her at the train He was
the same Jack she had left-tall,
loosely built, unconscious of himself.
His pleasant face reflected his clean,
honest life and his easy going gait
and ready made clothes spoke the
custom of the town. She looked at
hi tv-or, To IL
that had drawn her here. 1t was her
father or her mother. How sweet to
have mother tuck her in bed and to
feel the soft kiss on her cheek after
the heart-hungry mother thought her
little eve lamb fast asleep. But good.
too to hear father call her Daisy and
Grille once more.
And she was glad to see Jack. He
came next evening and told her in his
soft, slow voice all the news of the
place and-once more how dearly he
loved her.
do you. Jack?" she asked wistful-
iy. Gould l mean more to you than
this?" She Geached out her arms ca
ressingly toward the stretch of green
and dewy fragrant flowers lying so
peacefully beneath the soft moonlight.
Gould you be happy with me on
hot, paved street, with no trees or
fields of flowers, and where the air
was-sick?" She laughed tremulous-
ly. You can't understand. of course,
butt came home just for the smell
of the grass, the stiffness, the pure
sweet air!"
His big warm hand clasped her cold
little fingers lovingly.
81 do understand" he said, gently
81 went to the city once. was there al
most a year, but had to come back
l was doing well. too. never told
you about it. 1t seemed rather wom-
anish for big hulking man to banker
for green fields and flowers"
She moved nearer to him.
There's a man there" she said,
softly, "that-that-I think I-love.
He made it very pleasant for me, and
he's pleasant and well.to-do. thought
Few weeks here would satisfy me,
bSt know now 1t won't must have