The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-26
= OUR DAILY SHORT STORY <


 tened with kindly interest and obvious admiration.
 She was encored. of course. The pianist had his instructions. and turned over one page. Patrick saw that the girl meant to go straight through her granny's old song book.
 Rich and rare were the gems she
 wore. And a bright gold ring on her wand
 she bore"
 And so on. and so on, till the last verse was finished. and the singer cour- tesied and disappeared.
 Song, yelled some one from the back. Mother song"
 Pinksr than her hounced dress smii- ing and hesitatinR. Rosa again return ed. but the audience were not to be put off with a mere speech. or a cour- tesy swept with antiquated grace.
 What could she sing? She had sung all the songs in her grannys bound volume. She had nothing else--of the kind. She would curtsy again and go. She took the topmost fiounce of her gown between her fingers and swept her adorers a farewell
 The coronet from her hair fell at her feet. Half mechanically she picked 1t up. and. despite the frantic audience, turned to go. One bud in the wreath --the largest--came loose In her hand to inspire her at the last moment, and with a half smile she ran to the pan list and threw hasty whisper ovar his shoulder.
 He had no notes. but the brllliancy of his vamping was equal to this or any demand. A few crashing, effective chords. and then: ''The Last Rose of
 Little witch. Well indeed Was she playing her part For the old boy she had chosen the song of songs. With ineffabIe sadness she went on. plucking and letting sall one by one the pink petaly. ~..a-s- ..as ~~s
 ''No flower of her kindred,
 No rosebud is nigh.
 To reflect back her blushes,
 To give sigh for sigh"
 Patrick glanced at his grandfather He was blowing his nose with silent emotion, and the young man wondered whether he could see the little rose colored figure on the stage at all, SO thick was the mist of tears in his eyes.
 Triumphant indeed was her success. I When she finished, the old boy stamped with his stick on the floor. and shout ed till Patrick grew almost ashamed of the attention he was attracting. Poor little girl! Poor little Rose! I haven't heard anything like that since I list sned to the divine Jenny. | What shame that such a girl as thai should be singingAin such place as this!"
 Tt is indeed a shame" Patrick | trembled He felt that this was the | moment for him to tell hIs secret "csrandfather." said he, T love that girl"
 T don't wonder" he said. I'm in love with her myself. Charming Charmng"
 But Patrick had made his plunge.
 T am not speaking lightly" he said, eagerly. T know her. l want to take her away from the stage and marry her"
 The old man began to understand.
 The blazes you dol" said he.
 Yes" said Patrick. boldly. She is the only woman in the world for me. She Is a good girl. grandfather-and a | lady"
 T am sure of that" the old man re- sponded, heartily. No girl could have sung those songs with such true feel ing and marvellous expression if she had not been pearl among women a pearl. sir"
 Patrick was thunderstruck. "wiu you le; me introduce you to herr" he asked.
 His grandfather beamed. Nothing would give me greater pleasure" said he.
 The young man vanished.
 Five minutes later. Rosa. to the out ward eyes all shyness and pretty re- spect. ran down the three steps to the left of the little glittering stage and | curtsied to the old man.
 He bowed with old-fashioned grace. When came here tonight he said, gravely, T little thought to have been 1 dazzled and enchanted by vision from my happy youth.
 Rosa smiled up into his face with en- | gazing simplicity.
 T am glad you liked my songs,' she said, demurely
 The old boy lifted her hand to his lips.
 T have to thank you." he said, "foI the happlest and the saddest evening I have spent in many years. He looked at Patrick aad hesitated, but l only for a moment. | T hope" he said. courteously. "tha' the last rose of summer will soon be transp!anted to more eongenia soil"
 He turned abruptly and walked slow | ly away from them down the empty room Rosa looked up into her lovers face, touched and softened. Then, with a sudden impulse sht tore the La France rose from the lace at her breast and ran after the old boy to touch his arm with a timid little hand. This ss the last rose of summer | said she. will you let me give It to yOu?"