River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-07-19
Love Among
The Roses
By HERBERT HOLT
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.)

along the messy garden wall; anu
bush-roses more modest, hiding away
In nook and Granny.
In the garden / first saw her. She
moved amongst the roses tall and fair,
the spirit of the flowers. She was
wearing a dress all white, which fell
in gracious folds about her, giving a
touch of dignity to the girlish figure.
One hand held a basket, and with
pair of scissors she was busily snip
ping Off dead leaves and tending, al
most caressingly, the newly-opened
buds Of her favorite flowers.
you love roses" l said, involun-
tarily.
without them" Her smile robbed the
remark of extravaganza.
You see," she continued, raising
her eyes to my face, II have lived in
the country all my life, and my flow
ers are alma st my sole companions"
'Tnarticulate, and for that reason
desirable"
"Oh, no." she said, gaily, "the flow
ers have a language of their own, al
though we gross MORALS fail to I'M
derstand it. Do you see that tall fell
low bending down to exchange conf
dences with his conpanion?"
"A clear representation" l answered,
grave1y, "of Love among the roses .
| pulled at my cigarette, watching
her deft fingers moving amongst the
cool, green leaves.
"And yet" said l. presently, ''life
has compensations, even for the abb
sence of flowers"
She shook her head wisely.
THE things that men strive for
are they equal to these? l have heard
that life is full of disappointments,
but there are no disappointments in
Nature. l doubt the value of your
compensations, Mr.. Durnford."
''Some things" / returned, quietly,
edo not disappoint. Friendship,
love"
'Then I am thrice blessed" she
said quickly, for l have my roses
for companions, you for friend and
so we will not keep her waiting any
longer Tor tea.
Her mother was a sweet-faced wom-
an with a low voice, and settled look
OF sorrow in her tired eyes. Life had
given her Of its best, but stern Death,
in taking the husband, dearly loved,
had broken for her the handspring of
existence. Her daughter remained,
the only root that held her to the
earth.
Tea and quiet conversation followed
IA revelation to the homeless man,
weary of the society of men and hun
cry for womanly ministrations and
the touch of soft, caressing hands.
Then out into the rose garden again.
An elfin spirit possessed her. She
must give me one of her favorite flow
ers for my hutton-hole." She fitted
from tree to tree, smiling back at me
with innocent witchery.
"This bud was much too large; that
one was far too small, and beside, not
at all suitable for my complexion. F"
Finally she selected one and pinned
it to my coat. (I have it still.) In
doing so she saw my face.
ing"
Il am beginning to realize that hap
piness has its price"
Does that account for your gloom,
Mr. Durnford?"
Il have been very happy here"
'Yes?" The tone was questioning.
And now" / said, quietly, my
to New York
Her face twitched, and she turned
away for a moment and bent over a
flower. When she looked at me again
she had regained her composure and
spoke gently.
Il am glad you have enjoyed your
visit" she said.
l began impulsively:
.If," l said, IF" and then |
stopped vision of two dingy rooms
in a little street rose before my eyes
Dare | say any tenderly- nurtured
woman to share with me the hopeless
struggle for existence in a great city?
1 clenched my teeth and was silent.
Shall l see you again before you
go. she dSkSu.
mo, think not" l said, steadily
I'm fact, | came round this afternoon
for the purpose of saying good-by"
could not look ut her as | spoke.
"Good-by." she raid. monotonously
as one repeating a lesson.
took her hand In mine; she seemed
turned to marble.
Some day you Will perhaps under
stand. and in understanding, pity me- ?
l raised her hand to my Ups.
Three years later, and \, hot, stuffy
morning in mid-June. walked from
my rooms near the park, thinking
deeply of a critical article I Was writ
ing.
I started, and for an instant my
heart stopped beating. and then went
on at racing speed. She came 20
wards me along the sunlit path as Il
were, out of the land of dreams. She
was graver and more womanly than
of old. and walked slowly and will
downcast eyes. Two children were
with her. their shrill trebles reaching
me while yet long way off,
She looked up and saw me. wave
of color swept from brow to chin
leaving her pale. She paused for ar
instant and then came slowly on.