Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-17

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waters lap about me- and really. like
Emma Jane" l had no thoughts of
any kind for the rest of the afternoon.
Once a prince walked in his garden and
wild rose lay at his feet. Its slender
stem was broken its petals dropped. He
stopped and picked it up and held 1t ten
derby.
Here are flowers. prince" called the
MOBILES and ladies about him. perfect
flowers of beauty and rare perfume"
But the prince smiled and waved them
away
And they whispered among themselves:
He is thinking of the princess who lies
helpless. Poor prince!"
But the prince carried the rose to his
palace and the princess nursed 1t in
glass.
MY two wild roses:' whispered the
prince sweetheart.
And the princess sweetheart kissed him
and was happy.
There was a pearl and 1t had no set
ting. and lovers of jewels passed it by.
But one lover saw it. He took 1T. casket
and all. and soon tiny band of gold
encircled the pearl. and the lover wore
1t next his heart.
a good saint came her way and poured
the wine of life out for her and the
bread of hope he broke for her.
And when the poor. bruised soul was
wav and
Oh, little Celia Journal, what are these
thoughts that creep out from your brown
covers and trace themselves In my hand
writing on your pages? My little friend
who died and left me had strange fancies
that she wove. in childish language. into
fairy carpet whereon we both would
float In Happy Land Since then I've
never cared for fairy tales.
She died and left me. At any rate. she
died.
The two gray whiskered. bent and mar
row ones returned last week. Today they
came into my room like memories.
WELL said one, she seems to have
survived our absence"
He looked for my approval of his jest.
I tried to answer, but my heart was on
my lips.
1t meantime big man-angel to give
me life and courage; no one coming to
the door toward whom l make vain but
involuntary effort to rise and greet. 1t
meant no good sant-only two physicians
Lutzig and Braun, highly respected, and
the most expensive in the city.
But the second. the one who does not
rub his hands together. said:
Are you satisfied, child? Is Varick do
ing we'll for you?'
And ] answered:
HE is doing well for me-"
After a While they Went. To-Day No
came and is to come.
Truly when the gods threaten they do
it oftentimes in play.
Today I am much better. ] shall never
walk. but one can be almost quite we'll
and never walk.
The days are fuller now. read so
that my mind will not grow dull and self
centered, and I write letters home to
mother and father, to Eleanor and one or
two to Hollis.
Their wedding comes this week. How
glad am they are TO be happy. There
is not a tiniest regret nor any thoughts OF
them but those of love and good will. All
lovers should be happy.
Mandy sits and croOns again in the low
chair and-herc is the good saint of heal
ing coming. You must hide, little Celia!
He sat and talked while today.
l asked him what made him think OF
spines and hips and twisted bones to
study about.
He had Il sister once. A beautiful soul
watched her grow more beautiful and
more misShapen. He suffered with her;
when she died he made vow.
He sold all there was to sell, and went
to college. He worked, did what there
was to do to earn the money to finish his
course; then came special courses, and so
And now said you know her life
suffering was not in vain.
He looked at me quickly.
Il am glad 1 told YOU was all he said.
But he took my hand he left.
Sometimes. he said slowly, your eyes
look like my sisters Yet you do not suf-
fer any more. That's over"
So said, Il do not suffer any more"
What is it. them
Il wish sometimes that 1 were going to
to be like other women
Like other women? How?
Il want to walk.
There was a dead silence. 1 heard him
draw his breath quickly.
But you will walk
opened my eyes. / had not dared to
look at him before.
Don't" 1 said, family. You must
not. 1t only makes it harder
Il heard" I went on. II heard. the day
YOU came. You all were in the room be-
yond these. The register was open. The
word came through But, then, I knew
before.
He leaned down and took my hand from
my side where my heart beat in heavy
throbs that hurt me.
''You said" 1 could hardly gasp the
words. you said she'll never walk a step
again ] heard You"
His face changed. He still held my
hand. and he sank on a footstool by me.
''Lsten.'' lie said. very quietly, Il was
speaking of another case. another case
entirely. ! said there was hope for you.
| thought. But, unfortunately. You
didn't hear that. l must have turned this
way as I spoke of the other; she VIII
never walk another step, poor soul.'
His eyes Booked truthfully into
mine! Then he added:
"She is woman Old enough 20 be your
grandmother"
l only looked at him.
He leaned closer.
Don't you believe me-"
I shook my head.
food of color swept his tacC.
I'm sorry" he said, and started to rise.
But I chung to his hand
Il thank you, though" I said to him,
81 know you meant
Never mind what / meant" he in
terrupted, more roughly than 1 had ever