Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1906-11-09
NELLIE OF
The ROSE

Nv JOSEPH BAuchGR

DO you want flower, sir?"
She was poorly clad. a child OF the
people, but with face that q princess
might envy.
NARROW took no notice OF the voice.
as he hurried through the street--it
was a highway OF the slums-but the
patter OF the child's bare feet kept
pace with bis 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 Nellle's coffin. She was
buried from our court this morning"
"Ah! And what is your name, lit
tie one?"
NY udilS ANtllltp wv
"Nellie-Nellie OF the Rose! ]
shall accept your flower, and shall
keep It always"
Laughing, the child blushed, and
ran.
Marlow wondered at the young
girls beauty and grace, but not at
the floral gift. for he had always at
tracted children.
1t was twilight when Marlow ar.
rived at his rooms He placed the
flower upon his desk, wrote his edi
torlal, dispatched 1t, and fell asleep
A street piano was playing tC 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 a coffin, In which Nellie
not child, but grown woman-lay
dead
Without understanding, a sense OF
desolation appalled, him, and bowling
his head, he kissed the dead womans S
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 q spoiled
! home.lovlng 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 a year.
Yet, the spirit OF unrest-the spirit
Of Nellie's Gipsy mother-possess
I the girl, and without word, without q
sign, she left him.
Society said Il told you So" ant
opened Its arms to receive him again
but NARROW toiled on, and awaited his
wlfe's return. Dim Of eye and hollow
OF cheek from toiling and waiting
J. men said he drank. But his work re
D futed the charge.
q Two years passed One day mes
0 sage came to him.
l. Come to me-" he read, as the pa pei
J. nuttered from his grasp.
y In free ward OF the city hospital
q MARROW knelt by the bedside OF hi
I wife.
Q A spirit Of her home-loving fathe
y was asserting itself. and longing To-
e forgiveness and for home, she con
u fessed.
Don't! DON'T oh, Tom, dom
look at me 80 kindly" she moaned.
81 have forgotten all save that on,
year OF happiness you gave me-" h,
whispered
: But the world-your world. Tom
d what will II say?"
c you are my world. dear love-" h,
It said, tenderly smoothing her hair
g Perhaps" she sighed. But, onl.
for n short time, only for a llttl
! while. Oh, Tom, take me home
n Home! Our home! Won't you, Tom? :?
t "Yes, little one" he answered, a
? she tondled and kissed his hand
:, HoNoRINo A MODEST EDIBLE.