The Cairo bulletin., 1908-06-10
the LADY Of
7 he R OSES
BY r. HARRIS DEANS

|
CATION proved it. Red and vIli:e
roses; their perfume scented the mir
The traveller paused and leauIht IN
the little white gate, eyesl hem
thoughtfuly, From SO many one would
| never be missed, or II missed. regret.
ted. He gazed around, not stealthily,
yet undoubtedly searchingly.
He opened the gate and entered;
| buccaneers may have worn such look
as he Few gardeners but would quail,
| Around cump OF bushes he strobe.
oh" cried the girl. Startled, she
| dropped handful OF roses, which fell,
red and white. on the gravelpath.
She was clad In muslin, material
! which, however unsuitable from a hor-
| ticultural point Of view, was artistically
Incompatible.
From beneath sheltering sun-hat
her eyes cleaned with . annoyance
. inquiry? She Strengthened herself
from her STOPPING posture and brushed
curl from off her brow
The intruder dropped quickly on one
knee. Her look of lncipient 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 impulsive moyeStflt.
He rose to his feet and with a court.
ly gesture restored her spoil. Almost
ha 4.
ed a step--an act which aroused him
TO an appreciation of his intrusion,
Madam, he murmured. bowling low
that her age was but 90 summers
was no reason for employing the yo-
cabuary of shopwalker--"M Madam"
he said accordingly, dare apollo
gize?"
She gave permission with an incli-
nation of her head.
Where there is no regret he re-
flected, however, there can be no
apology"
An 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 gave TO
his accompanying glance meaning
which brought deeper tinge of pink
to her cheek
Desirable then" she amended cool
ly enough. With her head on one side
she awaited his Judgment
Il crave said he, bowling to her
wish, your pardon; 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 | should not have
been permitted to--apologize.
She bowed--a bow inferring an &C.
ceptance both OF the apology and the
compliment.
You came" she hazarded. with an
indicatory sweep OF the arm. for
roses?"
He was forced to admit the truth of
the accusation.
Had | but suspected your pres
ence," 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 anxious
ly. From neighboring bush she
plucked a red rose With her head on
one side she considered IL for an in
slant. Then with the air OF one max
ing concession she added TO this a
white rose.
She glanced from the roses to him,
and caught his eye fixed upon her.
With a gesture lowering between EN-
barrassment and intimacy she pref
fered them.
They limited at the inevitable, and
reluctantly he accepted both.
A desire is never satisfied; achieve,
ment is but dam which diverts Its |
course. Therefore he fingered.
II am seeking words" he responded /
to her raised eyebrows, "wherewlth |
to thank you"
They are unnecessary" she said as
her eyes fell before his glance.
Slowly she moved towards the gate,
a rustling among the bushes hasten
ing her progress.
At bench by the gate she paused. /
and fumbled awhile at her gown.
oh" she cried at length, dis
tressed.
The intruder offered her a wealth Of
service.
Half 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 flush deepened I'm her cheeks as
she answered his unspokcn query.
Il also was just passing, she ex.
planned softly.