The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-07-23
Love Among
TiSe Roses
BY HERBERT EoLT

IN nook ana 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 a
pair of scissors she was busily snip.
ping eff dead leaves and tending, al
most caressingly, the newly-opened
buds Of her favorite flowers.
you love roses" said, involun.
tarily.
Yes love them. could not live
without them" Her smile robbed the
remark OF extravaganza.
You see" she continued, raising
her eyes to my face, Il have lived in
the country ell my life. and my fiow
ers are almost my sole companions"
''Inarticulate, and for that reason
desirable"
"Oh, no, she said, gaily. "the fow.
ers nave a language Of their own, al.
though we gross mortals fail to. un.
derstand Il. DO you see that tall tel.
NV bNh0Ah6 AOWh w NANhnAko k0Aur
dences with his companion?"
"A clear representation" answered.
gravely, "of Love among the roses.
l pufied 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.
"rhe things that men strive for
are they equal to these7 have heard
that life is full OF disappointments.
but there are no disappointments in
Nature. doubt the value OF your
compensatlons. Mr.. Durnford"
Some things" returned, quietly.
do not disappoint. Friendship,
! love"
Then ] am thrice blessed" she
said quickly. for have my roses
for companions. you for 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 a low voice and a 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 aud
the touch Of soft. caressing hands.
Then out into the rose garden again.
An elhn spirit possessed her. she
must give me one OF her favorlte 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" :"
Finally she selected one and pinned
It to my coat. (I have II still.) In
doing so she saw my face.
How very solemn we look this even
ing"
Il am beginning 10 realize that hap
piness has It's 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
work here is finished. must 90 back
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
u am glad you have enjoyed your
visit" she said
began impulsiyely;
Of" said "if-" and then
stopped. vision OF two dlngy rooms
In a little street rose before my eyes
Dare ! say any tenderly- ly-nurtured
woman TO share with me the hopeless
struggle for existence In a great cltyl
clenched my teeth and was silent
Shall see you again before you
go?" she asked
NO I think not / said. steadily
"In fact, / came round this afternoon
for the purpose Of saying good.by"
could not look al her az | spoke
"Good-by." she said. monotOnously
as one repeating a lesson
took her hand In mine; she seemed
turned to marble.
Some day you viii perhaps under
stand and In underestimate. pity me-
/ raised her hand 10 nay ps
Three years later. and hot stuny