The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-06-19
THE LAST OF
HER. ROSES
BY J. J. BELL
tAuthor Of Wee MacGreeeor."l

By I. Z. BELL

On the doorstep of Lavender Cottage
Maj. Carruthers showed signs of un-
soldierly hesitation. Instead of pulling
the bell-handle he pulled his gray
mustache and looked back undoubtedly
at the garden gate through which he
mad passed ere his courage failed him.
This will never do" he said 20 him
self, and with an effort he laid his fin
gers on the bell-handle. A faint tin
kle, and presently he was asking a |
maid, who glanced admiringly at his |
broad shoulders and bronzed counten-
ance, II Miss Neville was at home.
Maj. Carruthers found himself in a |
small drawing-room, the furniture of
which was old-fashioned yet arranged |
without primness. A dainty touch was
everywhere evident, and, though the
season was late autumn, flowers
abounded. He noticed photographs of
people as he had met them 20 years be-
fore, and he observed with sigh that
his own likeness had no place among
them.
He singled out one on the mantel
piece. 1t was that of a brother officer
in his first campaign. Poor old Jacki"
sighed the major; "she has forgotten
me, and she has remembered you,
though you've been in your grave a
score of years. wonder if you were
really engaged to her before"
He turned suddenly for the door had
opened and Miss Neville was coming
forward to greet him.
do you know me, Hilary?" he STAN
mered.
Know you? OF course, JIM" was
her reply, as she held out a friendly
hand.
Maj Carruthers was surprised and
relieved. He had anticipated an awk-
ward meeting. and at best polite rec
ignition of himself as an old acquaint-
ance whose appearance was a sort of
resurrection, but here was Hilary
Neville receiving him as though he had
parted from her only yesterday.
It's awfully good of you'll" he cried,
boyishly, and then laughed. He could
not help it.
Il should have known you by your
laugh, anyhow" she said, smiling, and
motioning him to a seat.
And I should have known you by
your voice"
Then he became grave. ''Tt's 90
years in December-2O years-since I
last saw you"
is it so much? 1 can hardly believe
it."
Neither can I, when look at you.
Hilary
You were always abroad any time
| happened to be home on leave"
Eyes. For years had desire to
travel. Now, I'm rather tired of it all.
and am quite content to vegetate at
Lavender Cottage. suppose the con-
tentment is a sign of age!" she said.
NONSENSE" exclaimed her visitor.
He was forced to admit that time had
changed her, but his heart cried out
that she was as sweet and desirable to
him as ever.
''I'm &c." she said, bluntly, thinking
to shock him.
mot till January" he returned, sim
ply. "And I'm 50,' he added, stoutly
The maid entered with the tea tray
and on her departure they dropped into
a conversation on the past-the past
as it had interested both of them. II
was natural enough that they should
come
but the major was a little surprised
that his companion referred to hel
dead lover without great sadness
though with all gentleness. Her fin
gers did not tremble as she took th'
photograph from the mantelpiece anC
handed it to her visitor.
"Poor old Jaek!' he said, softly. ="
remember the day he and l went to
gether to have our portraits taken
This is a capital likeness" He won
dered what else he could say. After
moment he went on: Jack was on
of those clever fellows who would hav
come to the top if he had lived. H
GOT ahead of me in everything, Hilary.
81 think you are undertaking your
self. JIM" she said, kindly.
mo. It's the truth. But only one
was jealous of his success"
There was silence, which wa
broken at last by Miss Neville. "Woul
Won like to see the companion pilot
70 Jacks?" she asked, with a fain
smile.
eyes 1 looked in vain for it on tn
mantelpiece.
"Excuse me a moment, then, and II
get it for you"
"stay, Hilary" said the major, fol
lowing her to the door. els it the sam
az this?" And he took worn leathe
case from his breast pocket. 'Is it tn
same as this?" he asked, opening tn
case.
Miss Neville stared for a momen
uar face flushed crimson and the
.nrned very pale. "Oh, no, mol" sh
whispered, and fled.
~What have I done?" he mutteret
uHaye offended herr" He locke
,angingly at the faded photograph /
S,s bands-how often, in many ia
Tend he had gazed on the girlish face
and returned it carefully in its cas-
10 his pocket.