Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1906-10-05
NELLIE OF
THE ROSE

BY JOSEPH BAUcHER

IN NNh want u hpNNlt oll
She was poorly clad, child of the
people, but with face that princess
might envy.
MARROW took no notice OF the voice,
as he hurried through the sueet--it
was a highway of the slums-but the
patter OF the child's bare feet kept
pace with his own tread
They say they are made out of
dead people" she persisted. Offering
him tube.rose.
Thanks" he said as he paused to
take a flower DO you grow them"
he added.
Grow them?' she laughed, with
wondering eyes. why, they are made
out Of dead people, tell you"
Indeed? Then, where did YOU get
this?"
From Nellie's coffin. She WAS
buried from our court this morning"
All And what is your name. lit
tie one?"
My names Nellie. too"
"Nellie-Nellie t the Rose! /
shall accept your flower, and | shall
keep II always"
Laughing, the child bushed. and
ran.
MARROW wondered at the young
girls beauty and grace, but not at
the floral gift, for he had always at
tracted children.
II was twilight when NARROW ar
rived at his rooms. He placed the
flower upon his desk wrote his edi.
torial, dispatched It, and fell asleep.
A street piano was playing to dancing
children on the sidewalk below. The
air grew cold He arose and closed
the window, Though the stiffness OF
the room came family the splash OF
dropping water. An odor that sug.
gested death chilled him to the heart.
On turning, he saw In the center OF
the room coffin, in which Nellie
not a child, but "A grown woman--lay
dead
Without understanding, sense OF
desolation appalled, him, and bowing
his head, he kissed the dead woman 3
brow, and awoke. The air was heavy
with the perfume OF the flower the
child had given him, and her words
fingered in his thoughts.
Five years passed. Nellie OF the
Rose had at first interested NARROW,
and he educated her; and, although
he learned that she was the daugh-
ter OF Gipsy mother and a spoiled
home-loving son of noble house,
Marlow loved her and made her his
wife
Society at first laughed then
sneered. and finally ostracised him
But he laughed at society and was
happy for year
Yet, the spirit OF unrest-the spirit
OF Nellie's Gipsy mother-possesse
the girl, and without a word without a
sign, she left him.
Society said Il told you So" and
opened Its arms TO receive him again,
but MARROW toiled on, and awaited his
wifes return. Dim OF eye and hollow
OF cheek from toiling and waiting,
men said he drank But his work re.
tuted the charge.
Two years passed One day a mes
sage came to him.
Come to me- he read, as the pc per
futtered from his grasp.
In a free ward of the city hospital,
MARROW knelt by the bedside Of his
wife.
A spirit Of her homeloying father
was asserting itself, and longing for
forgiveness and for home, she con.
fessed.
Don't! Don't! Oh. Tom. don't
look at me so kindly" she moaned
Il have forgotten all save that one
year of happiness you gave me-" he
whispered.
But the word-your world Tom
what will II say?'
you are my world dear love-" he
said, tenderly smoothing her hair.
Perhaps" she sighed. But, only
for a short time, only for little
while. oh, Tom, take me home!
Home! Our home! Won't you. Tom ?"
yes, little one" he answered az
she fondled and kissed his hand.