The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-07-25
IN szn-----------~---- AZ
Love Amonu
The Roses
BY HERBERT HOLT
Copyright, by Joseph Il. Bowles.)

There were roses everywhere. Grea
yellow roses climbing up the house
and boldly peeping in at the lattceC
windows; rich red clusters creeping
along the messy garden wall; ant
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 wa;
wearing a dress all white, which fell
in gracious folds about her, giving 9
touch of dignity to the girlish figure
One hand held a basket and with Q
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 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 all my life, and my flow,
ers are almost my sole companions.
''Enarticulate, and for that reason
desirable"
"Oh, no." she said, gaily, the flow
ers have a language of their own, al
though we gross mortals fail to un.
derstand it. DO you see that tall fel.
low bending down TO exchange conf,
dences with his companion"
"A clear representation, ! answered,
sravely, "of Love among the roses .
! pulled at my cigarette, watching
her deft fingers moving amongst the
cool, green leaves
"And yet" said /, presently, "life
has eompensations even for the alb
sence of flowers"
She shook her head wisely.
THE things that men strive for
are they equal to these? I have heard
that life is full of disappointment
but there are no disappointments in
Nature. | 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 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
"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 elfn spirit possessed her. 'She
must give me one of her favorite flow
ars for my button-hole." She fitted
rom tree to tree, smiling back at me
With innocent witchery.
This bud was much too large; that
me was far too small, and beside. not
It all suitable for my complexion. A."
finally she selected one and pinned
t to my coat IL have it still.) lnI
LONG so she saw my face.
How very solemn VIC look this even.
ng'
Il am beginning TO realize that hap
,iness has its price
Does hat account for your gloom, |
,lr Durnford?"
81 have been very happy here"
"Yes?' Tho tone was questioning |
And now" said, quietly, my
work here is finished. ! must go back
o New York"
Her face twitched. and she turned
way for a moment and bent over a
lower When she looked at me again \
he had regained her composure and |
poke gently.
IL am glad you have enjoyed your
isit." she said.
/ began impulsively:
"lr" I said. if and then II
topped. A vision Of two dingy rooms
n little street rose before my eyes
)are / say any tenderly- nurturcd
roman t, share with me the hopeless
truEgie for existence in a great city?
clenched my teeth and was silent.
"Shall ] see you again before you
%" she asked.
No. think not" said. steadily
In fact. | came round this afternoon
or the purpose Of saying good-by." J
ould not look at her as 7 spoke.
"Good-by," she said. monotonously
S one repeating a lesson.
] took her hand in mine; she seemed
lrned TO marble.
Some day Won viii perhaps under
and. and in understanding. pity me.
raised her had IN my lips.
Three years later. and a hot. s'uHy
.orn'nE in md June. 7 walked 'FRONT.'
IL rooms mar the rarL 4hsuIf,-