The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-18

the only root that heid her 10 the earth.
 Tea and quiet conversation followed "a revelation to the homeless man. | weary of the society Of men and hum l gry for womanly ministrations and the touch of soft, caressing hands. Then out into the rose garden again. An elfln spirit possessed her. She l must give me one of her favorite flow CTS 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 I it to my coat. q have 1t stilL) In doing so she saw my face. How very solemn we look this even | ing"
 q am beginning to realize that hap piness has It's price"
 Does that account for your gloom. Mir. DurnfoldY'
 T have been very happy here"
 ''Yes?" The tone was questioning. And now" said. quietly. Thy work here is finished. I must go back | to New York"
 Her face twitched. and she turned away for a moment and bent over flower, When she looked at me again she had regained her composure and spoke gently.
 T am glad you have enjoyed your | visit" she said
 began impulsely.
 'Tf," I said. if" and then I ! stopped. vision of two dingy rooms in a little street rose before my eyes. Dare I ask any tenderly-nurtured woman to share with me the hopeless struggle for existence in a great city? I clenched my teeth and was silent.
 Shall I see you again before you go?" she asked.
 ''No, think not" I said, steadily Tn fact, came around this afternoon for the purpose of saying good-by" I could not look at her as l spoke.
 Good by" she said, monotonously. as one repeating a lesson.
 I took her hand in mine; she seemed turned to marble
 Some day you will perhaps under stand, and in understanding. pity me-" I raised her hand to my lips.
 Three years later. and a hot. stuffy morning in mid-June. I caIksd from my rooms near the park, thinking deeply of a critical article I was writ ing.
 started. and for an instant my heart stopped beating. and then went on at racing speed. She came to- WdIuS iHO dlOHk lHCt Suull pdIu db " were, out of the land of dreams. She was graver and more womanly than of old. and walked slowly and with downcast eyes. Two children were with her, their shrill trebles reaching me while yet a long way off.
 She looked up and saw me. A wave of color swept from brow to chin. leaving her pale. She paused for an instant and then came slowly on.
 At lastl" I said. and was silent.
 I held her hand and gazed hungrily into her face. She was beautiful. but more than beauty upon her face was written--courage, steadfastness and high resolve.
 turned and walked by her side. The two children. after a period of embarrassing scrutiny. were on in front arguing some childish dispute
 i've heard of you often." she said. with quickly recovered composure You have achieved fame"
 T date what little measure of suc- cess l possess from that summer three years ago" She recoiled a little: went on hurriedly.
 Some studies wrote then were fa- vorably received and commented upon. Since that time I have not looked back" I paused and continued slow ly: When saw a little light through the darkness more than two years ago. scarcely daring to hoje. went down to the village. I found the rose garden. but the rose looked for was gone and the garden was deso- late"
 My mother died." she answered. quietly, "and all her money sunk in an annuity. died with her. So there was very little left. But friends were kind and FNt me a situation as gov erness to the two little girls you see"
 And you have been fighting the battle of life alone ever since"
 Tt was not much of battle" she said. smiling
 And I-I imagined you snug and warm in some little nest. I never connected the storm and stress of life with you"
 mother" she said. her lips quivering. and I was not brave"
 q am sorry" The kords, sounding dull commonplace and inadequate fell from me but my brain was in a whirl and could think of nothing, 1 save that after three long years. she 1 was once again by my side.
 We walked slowly. the rumble of i traffic sounding faintly in the ear. | were dropped and we stood in the rose | garden I turned to her.
 Do you remember that last even ing?"
 She nodded in some distress.
 And have you thought about 1t since-and understood?'
 She made no reply.
 q loved you then" I said. softly.
 Why have you come again into my life?' she broke out at last. a lit- tie wildly. T have fought the pain J