Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1906-09-22
NELLIE OF
The ROSE.

sy JOSEPH BAucHER

DO you want mower, SIR
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 street-it
was highway OF the slums-but the
patter of the childs 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 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 gel
this'"
From NelieS cofiin She was
buried from our court this morning"
All! And what is your name lit
tie one"
My names Nellie. too"
''Nellie-Nellie of the Rose
shall accept your flower and shall
keep 1t always"
Laughing, the child blushed and
ran.
NARROW wondered AT the young
girls beauty and grace, but not at
the noral gift for he had always at.
tracted children.
II was twilight when NARROW ar.
rived at his rooms. He placed the
dover upon his desk. wrote his edi
torial, dispatched II. and fell asleep
A street piano was playing to dancing
children on the sidewalk below. The
air grew cold. lie 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, bat a grown woman-lay
dead
Without understanding, seuse Of
desolation appalled, him. and boving
his head, he kissed the dead womsn's
brow, and awoke The air was heavy
with the perfume OF the flower III.
child had given him. and her words
fingered in his thoughts.
Five years passed. Nellie Of the
Rose had at hrst Interested Marlow
and he educated her and, although
he learned that she was the daugh
ter OF n Gypsy mother and a spoiled
home loving son Of noble house
MARROW loved her and made her his
wife
Society al hrst laughed. then
sn,cred. and finally ostracised him
But he laughed at society and wsh
happy for a year
Yet. the spirit Of unrest--the spirit
OF Nellie's Gipsy mother--possesse
the girl. and without word without a
sign, She left him
Society said Il told you sd" and
OF ened It's arms to receive him again
Dat MARROW toiled on. and awaited his
~ife's return Dim Of eve and hollow
OF cheek from toiling a1d waiting.
men said be drank Br his work re
fused the charge
Two years rsssed One day mes
sage came to him
Come to me. he read as the y. nov
ruttered from his grasp.
In free ward Of the city hospital
NARROW knelt by the bedside OF hi-
wife.
\ spirit Of her home.lovlug fathr
was asserting itself. and longing 70
forgiveness and for home, she cou
fessed
Don't, Don't Oh, Tom. don't
look at me 10 kindly" she mosned.
Il have forgotten all save that One
year Of happiness you gave me-" he
whispered
But the world--your world. Tom
what win II say
You are my world. dear love" ne
said. tenderly smoothing her hair.
Perhaps" she sighed But, only
! for short time, only for little
while oh, Tom take me home'
/ ONE Our home, Won't you. Tom -
Yes. little one" he answered as