The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-05-12
A Way-Side Flower.

laurel wreathed hats, young men bearing
shawls andsempty baskets, matron or
two; last Of all Stephen FELTON,, child
on either side of him, and in his arms lit.
tie Nancy Forsythc half asleep. Wher-
ever Stephen went children followed, led
| by attraction irresistible as that which
draws iron filings to the magnet. Grown
| people could not understand this attrac-
ton, but the little ones never mistook
about it. Sleepy as she was, Nancy
small hand kept patting his shoulder as
they went along, and her voice cooed
words of drowsy endearment which made
Stephen smile. gloomy as he felt that day.
Each cheerful reply to the childrens ques-
tons cost an effort; but he spoke cheerily
all the same, and tried to keep his eyes
from wandering forward to where Cap
tain Hallett walked by the side of Milly
Graves, with his handsome head very
near hers, and his voice murmuring low
sentences inaudible to the rest of the
party. Many glances were sent back at
this couple from those in advance, for
Ned Hallett was the novelty of the mo-
ment, hero and a stranger; and the
girls, who were only too well disposed to
pull caps for him, thought it quite too
bad" of Milly to absorb his attentions as
she had done all day.
But, after ALL what could Milly, what
could any girl do, when an all-conquering
captain takes up his position at her side
in early morning and never leaves it till
late afternoon? 1t is not in girl nature
to resist such tribute, and Stephanie De
Witt, in front, was partly justified in
calling it "a desperate firtation," al
though l fear the pout with which she
spoke was due rather to amour propre
than outraged morals. But on Milly's
side it was rot all Irritation. For all her
merry, saucy ways, she was sensitive,
credulous creature, just the woman to
give gold for DUST" and stake her all in
that unequal barter so common in this
world of misunderstood values.
Her fair cheeks were flushed and her
blue eyes full of shy excitement as they
walked along, talking about-dear ME,
who do people talk about when they are
young and of differing sexes? Captain
Hallett's fine eyes said more than his
tongue; his martial mustache seemed to
give point and value to mere nothings.
He carried 1.-THE little cane, with which
he emphasized his sentences; now cutting
the air, now beheading a mullein, in a
way which Milly thought fascinating
And then Love Lane was such pretty
spot, the very place to be-eloquent in.
Its winding turns were hedged with fra
grant growths, woodbine, briar, sweet
fern and bay. Overhead the trees met
and clasped in shady arches. Here and
there a pink honeysuckle glinted in the
ing clematis. The pure primrose light of
cloudless sunset sifted down through
the canopy of boughs, light breeze stir
red, full of delicious smells. 1t was like
an evening in fairy-land.
Suddenly a turning brought them into
fern-clad bank, against which, set in a
framework of tremulous verdure, stood
one rose, of perfect wild wood pink,
poised at tip of cluster of vivid leaves.
1t was like an enchanted queen, Milly
thought.
How beautiful she cried; but even
as the words left her lips the restless cane
flew through the air, flcked the rose
from it's stem, and sent it into the dusty
road, little whirlwind of broken leaves
accompanying its fall.
What pity" she said, involuntarily.
ITS only wild rose, you know" said
said he, surprised.
But don't you like wild roses ?"
"Oh, yes; but there are so many OF
them that it is hardly worth while to
waste sentiment on a single one" and
the captain showed his fine teeth in a
smile which was the least bit cruel.
Milly sighed, and cast regretful look
behind. Her gentle nature felt for the
fair despoiled thing. But, after all, there
were plenty of wild roses, as Captain Hal
lett had said, and presently she forgot her
sympathy and its cause. Another turn
ing in the lane brought them to the vii
| lage outskirts and to Squire Aliens gate,
where the rest of the party were waiting.
There were goodbyes to say, divisions to
make Mrs. Allen was intent on secur-
| ing to each person his or her own basket,
Kitty FELTON, was counting teaspoons.
Stephanie hunting for missing plate.
In the midst of these researches Stephen
came up the children. He looked weary,
and put Nanny into her mothers arms
with an air of relief, disregarding the
drowsy protest which she uttered.
What lovely rose, Stephen" said
some of the girls. Where did you find
it,"
"In the road" replied Stephen. Some
body had switched it off its stem and
left it to die, SO we picked it up"
Eyes, and MIR. FELTON, said it was a
shame to treat flower So" put in q
little boy.
The captain listened impassively, but
Milly gave half-pained glance at tbs
flower-"That was just like you, Ste
phen," she said, softly; and Stephen
frightened for the first time that day.
1t seemed to Stephen, looking back
that his love for Milly hadbegun when he
was a boy of five and she baby in the
cradle He could not recollect the time
when he did not prefer her to all Other
girls At school he was her knight, hi:
sled, his jackknife his help, Away at hel
service. Stephen taught her to skate, tc
row. 1t was he who brought her the
first maple. sugar, the first arbutus; h'
who took her on sleigh-rides, and walked
home with her from church and villag'
tea parties. Milly absorbed these ser
vices, not ungratefully, but as matte
of course. She had been used to then
from her babyhood, and could almost a.
we'll have dispensed with sun or air GU
of her life; but sun and air being neve
withdrawn, are rarely noticed or alluded
to. Dear good old Stephen" she callet
him. Now it is not we'll for a man t.