The Lamar register., 1908-08-26
the LADY OF
TIL E R o S ES

A startlinsly white fence corralled I
mass OF greeSery. Rose trees. investd
CATION proved It. Red and whita
roses: their perfume scented the air.
The traveller paused and. leaning or
the little white gate. eyed then
thoughtfuly. From SO many one would
never be missed. or II missed. regret
ted. He gazed around. not stealthtiy
yet undoubtedly searchingly.
He opened the gate and entered:
buccaneers may have worn such looh
as he. Few gardeners but would quail
Around a clump Of bushes he strobe
"Oh!" cried the girl. Startled. she
dropped a handful of roses. which fell
red and white. on the gravel-path.
She was clad In muslin. . material
which, however unsuitable from hor'
ticuitural point Of view. was artistically
Incompatible.
From beneath q sheltering sun-hat
her eyes CLEANED with :. annoyance
i. inquiry? She Strengthened herself
from her stooSing posture and brushed
. curl from on her brow.
The intruder dropped quickly ON one
knee. Her look Of incipient alarm
faded as she observed that he gathered
together 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 impulsivs movement
He rose to his feet and with court
ly gesture restored her spoil. Almost
she accepted It % gift, She retreat
cd q stsp-an oct which aroused him
to an appreciation Of his intrusion.
Madam. he murmured. bowling low
that her age was but 20 summers
was no reason for employing the 70
cabulary Of . shopwalker-'Madam
he said sccordingly. dare apollo
s1fe?"
She gave permission With IN incli-
nation of her head.
Where there IL NO regret" he re-
nected, however. there can be no
apology"
IAN expression Of regret" she sug-
gested. would be but polite" Albeit
she was not insistent, leaving the point
for his consideration.
"Polite!" he protested. She gavs -
his accompanying glance meaning
which brought deeper tings Of pink
to her cheek.
Desirable then" she amended cool
" enough. with her head on one iids
she awaited his Judgment
II crave" said he, bowling 70 ~
wish. your pardon: little a. regret
having given you cause for dispisas-
ure." $500. --..-
She cast q questioning glance q
him. ...... -..... .....,.....
"For the reason" he explained. ~'tkAa
had not offended I should not have
been permitted to-apologfzs."
She bowed-a bow infefring an -.
compliment.
you came" she hasarded. with -
indicatory sweep Of the arm. tor
ruses?"
He was forced to admit the truth q
the accusation.
Had I but suspected your pres
Guss." he pleaded. Il should not have
come-for roses"
Red and white roses; their perfume
scented the air.
Nevertheless" she insisted. '.ysa
came for roses"
He watched her movement anxious
y. From . nsishboring bush she
pluched . red rose. With her head On
one side she considered n for an In
slant. Then with the air q one nnah-
ing . concession she 'sddsd to this .
white rose.
She glanced from the roses to him,
and caught his eye nxed upon her.
With . gesture. lowering betweea en-.
barrassment and intimacy she prot.
fsred them.
They limited At tie inevitable. aal
reluctantly he accepted both
A desire IL never satisfied: achieve-
ment 10 but . dam which diverts- fts
course. Therefore he fingered.
II am seeking words" he responded
70 her raised eyebrows. "wherswtNh
to thank you" -.
They are unnecessary" she said, -
her eyes fell before his glance.
Slowly she moved towards the gate,
q rustling among the bushes hasten
ing her progress.
At "a bench by the gate she paused,
and fumbled awhile at her gown.
"Oh!" she cried at length. dis
tressed.
The intruder offered her . wealth Of
service.
"Half q CROWN" she murmured IN
some confusion.
Even that was at her disposal.
THANK you" she said, as she placed
Il upon the seat.
She passed through the gate. and he
followed, bewildered.
The hush deepened in her cheeks -
she answered his unspoken query.
I'll also was Just passing" she a.
planned softly.