Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-05-15
LADY OF THE ROSES.

A startlingly white fence eorralled a
mass Of greenery. Rose trees, inresti-
cation proved it. Red and white roses:
their perfume scented the air.
The trave,er paused, and. leaning on
the little white gate, eyed them
thoughtfully From so many one wouIa
never be missed or if missed, regret
ted He gazed around, not stealthilv.
yet, undoubtedly searchingly.
He opened the gate and entered; buc-
cancers may have worn such a look as
he. Few gardeners but would quail
Around elump of bushes he strobe.
"0h!" cried the girl. Startled. she
dropped a handful of roses, which fell.
red and white, on the gravel path
She was clad in muslin, a material
which, however unsuitable from hor-
tieulturaI point of view, was artisticanv
incompatible.
From beneath sheltering sn-hat
her eyes cleaned with annoy
ance inquiry? She straight
ened herself from her STOPPING posture
and brushed curl from off her brow.
The intruder dropped quickly on one
knee Her look OF incipient alarm faded
as she observed that he gathered to-
gether the roses which lay scattered at
her feet Yet one might have thought
this latter action was in the nature of
an after-thought--an excuse for an i'm
pulsive movement.
He rose to his feet, and with a court,
w gesture restored her spoil. Almost.
she accepted it as gift She retreat
ed a step-an act which aroused him to
an appreciation of his intrusion.
Madam" he murmured, bowling low
that her age was but twenty summers
was no reason for employing the vo-
cabulary of shopwalker-.M Madam"
he said accordingly, dare | apologize?'
She gave permission with an inclina-
tion of her head.
Where there is no regret he re-
fiected, however, there can be no apol-
ogy."
An expression of regret, she sug-
gested, would be but polite" Albeit
she was not insistent, leaving the point
for his consideration.
"Politel" he protested He gave to
his accompanying glance meaning
which brought deeper tinge of pink to
her cheek
Desirable then" she amended coolly
enough. With her head on one side she
awaited his judgment.
wish, your parden little as | regret
having given you cause for displeas-
ure"
She cast a questioning glance at him
For the reason" he explained, that
had | not offended l should not have
been permitted to-apologize."
She bowed-a bow inferring an ac-
ceptanee both of the apology and the
compliment
You came she hazarded. with an
indieatory sweep of the arm, for
roses?"
He was forced to admit the truth of
the accusation.
Had | but suspected your presence"
he pleaded, Il should not have come
for roses"
Red and white roses; their perfume
scented the air.
Nevertheless" she insisted you came
for roses
He watched her movement amxiously.
From neighboring bush she plucked a
red rose. With her head on one side she
considered it for an instant. Then with
the air Of one making concession she
added to this white rose
She glanced from the roses to him
and caught his eye fixed upon her. With
gesture lowering between embarass-
ment and intimacy she proffered them.
They limited at the inevitable and re-
luctantly he accepted both.
desire is never satisfied; achieve
ment is but dam which diyerts its
course. Therefore, he fingered
Il am seeking words" he responded
to her raised eyebrows, "wherewith to
thank YOU
They are unnecessary she said, as
her eyes fell before his glance
Slowly she moved toward the gate. a
rustling amongst the bushes Fastening
her progress.
At bench by the gate she paused,
and fumbled awhile at her gown
Obi" she cried at length, distressed
The intruder offered her wealth OF
service.
Half erown?" she murmured in
some confusion.
Even that was at her DISPOSAL
Thank you" she said, as she placed
it upon the seat.
She passed through the gate and he
followed bewildered
The flush deepened in her cheeks as
she answered his unspoken query
Il also was just passing" She eX-
planned softly-F. Harris Deans in The
Sketch.