The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-08-09
Love Anonu
The Roses
By HERBERT HOLT
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles,)

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 disnity to the girlish figure.
One hand held basket, and with a
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 lovc-roses," | said, involun-
tarily.
Eyes, love them. could not live
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 almost my sole companions" a"
'Inarticulate. and for that reason
desirable"
"Oh. no." she said, gaily, "the flows
ers have language of their own, al.
though we gross mortals fail to un.
derstand IT, DO you see that tall fell
low bending down to exchange conf
dences with his companion?"
"A clear representation" | answered,
gravely, "of Love among the roses "
puffed at my cigarette, watching
her deft fingers moving amongst the
cool. green leaves.
And yet" said I, 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? | have heard
that life is full of disappointments,
but there are no disappointments in
Nature. I doubt the value Of your
compensations, Mr.. Durnford."
Some things" returned, quietly,
do not disappoint. Friendship,
| love-"
Then I am thrice blessed" she
said, quickly, for | have my roses
for companions. you for a friend and
mother to love. There, have finished,
so we will not keep her waiting any
longer for tea"
Her mother was a sweet.faced wom-
an with 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
"a 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 elfln spirit possessed her "She
must give me one of her favorite flow
ers for my button-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 y
Finally she selected one and pinned
II to my coat. Il have II still.) In
doing so she saw my face.
How very solemn we look this even
ing"
II am beginning to realize that hap
| piness has its price"
Does that account for your gloom
Mr.. Durnford?"
81 have been very happy here"
"Yes?" The tone was questioning
"And now" said. quietly. my
work here is finished. ! must go back
to New York"
Her face twitched, and she turned
away for a moment and bent over {
flower. When she looked at me agar
she had regained her composure ant
spoke gently.
II am glad you have enjoyed you
visit" she said.
began impulsively:
"If," I said, If" and then
stopped. vision NJ two dingy rooms
in little street rose before my eyes
Dare say any tenderly-nurture,
woman TO share with me the hopeless
struggle for existence in a great city
clenched my teeth and was silent.
shall | see you again before yo
go?" she asked
mo, ! think not" said, steadily
I'm fact, came round this Afternoon
for the purpose of saying good-by."
could not look at her as | spoke.
"Good-by," she said. monotonously
as one repeating a lesson
I took her hand In mine; she SCENE
turned to marble.
Some day you will perhaps under
stand. and in understanding. pity me.
] raised her hand to my lips.
Three years later, and a hot, stun
morning In mid.June. | walked fror
my rooms near the park. thinkin
deeply Of critical article was wri
ing.
started. and for an Instant m
heart stopped beating, and then wen
! on at racing speed. She came Il
wards me along the sunlit path as
were. out of the land of dreams. Sh
was graver and more womanly tha
| Of old, and walked slowly and wit
downcast eyes. Two children wer
, with her. their shrill trebles reachin
me while yet long way of.
She looked up and saw me. A wav
, Of color swept from brow to chil
leaving her pale. She paused for a
instant and then came slowly on.
"At last!" ! said. aAd was silent.
! held her hand and gazed hungril