The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-03-24

IoScDuSu. AAcu duA yCIlOW, pun lIIO
white and cream beauties nodded from
graceful stems above Henry's wistful
eyes.
Here is a little rose that may be
just what you want. sir. 1t is budding
finely now. By forcing it l think l
can promise you it will bloom on Eas-
ter Sunday If you put it in the ground,
then. as you say you want to do. l
won't guarantee that it will live long.
but if it's in sunny garden it may
do we'll. after ALL"
$50 long as it blooms on Easter Sun
day don't care" declared Henry
recklessly. and after completing his
arrangements he drove home again.
AS he passed the Brayton house he
saw Roses mother bending over the
little rosebush in the garden-the one
Jim Carey had planted-:,nd he won
dered If it had really come to life
again. He visited it late that night
feeling like marauder as he invaded
the silent moonlit garden. But the
little bush remained unchanged-in
fact. investigation showed that the
stalks We're quite dead.
On Good Friday he paid another Wis.,
it to the florist and came home late ut
night with large bundle propped
carefully on the seat beside him. He
learned that Rose was coming home
late the next evening. She was to
play the organ for the Easter music.
and very likely she would go from the
train straight to rehearsal in the
church.
The moon had waned by this time.
and the evenings were dark. and this
condition suited Henry's purposes very
we'll He was in the church when
Rose arrived with little furry Of
greeting from the members Of the
choir. There was to be special music
for the occasion. and Henry and his
violin had been pressed into service.
Rose bent her head in grave saluta-
ton as she passed him and seated her
self at the organ. An instant later all
personalities were drowned in the en-
deavor to bring the choir into accord
with the music. When the rehearsal
was over Henry did not wait for
Rose Brayton. He tucked his violin
carefully away in its case and went
home
1t was long after midnight when he
came forth from his own gate bearing
dark object in his arms. In one
Although it was dark. the way to the
rosebush in Rose Rrayton's garden
was familiar ground. At last he stood
beside it for an instant irresolnte.
Around him the darkness seemed to
press softly He could smell the fresl,
turf, wet by recent rain, and the pun
gent odor Of a yellow Towering shrul,
near by.
With a sudden impulse he bent down
and dug up the dead roots of the
little rosebush Jim Carey had planted.
Then he replaced it with strong,
sturdy little bush he had obtained
from the florist green with leaves and
blushing with a multitude Of hall
opened buds. Carefully, as well as he
could in the darkness, he cleared away
the debris and went home, but not tG
sleep. When morning came he was
pale and tired eyed. In the church he
purposely arranged his chair so that
he might not meet Rose Brayton's
eyes-indignant, contemptuous, as they
must be- He heard her when she came
in, and he was conscious of her pres
ence throughout the service.
That evening the service was repeat
ed, and the music wore upon his
nerves, and he was glad when it was
all over. He had escaped to the dool
when he saw Rose just ahead of him
She had declined proffered escort
and was fitting alone in the darkness
He caught glimpse of light colorei
dress, and as in dream he heard on.
girl speak to another one, "ROse Bray
toms got OH blue dress!"
He found himself speeding after
z Rose with strange exultatiOn in his
heart. Could it be true, after all, thai
Rose might care for some one else
But perhaps it was somebody she haf
met while away. So he tortured him
I self as he followed her home. At thu
gate he put forth OBTAINING hand a.
: it closed behind her.
''Rose," he said.
She paused and came toward him
There was, or he fancied it. a littl,
] tremble in her voice. yes" was al
J. she said. He opened the gate ant
! boldly took her hand. He led he
' across the grass to the spot where tn,
rosebush was planted. A broad suuar,
e of light from some window in th'
house formed a setting for the busl
i Henry had planted at midnight. 1t
G pink blossoms seemed to clutch at hi
: heart. So much depended on that lit
5 tie BUSH
< II thought you said-you said TIL
little bush was dead. Rose. Were yO'
e not surprised to come home and flint
it alive and blooming:" he asked.
q Rose did not withdraw her ham
u from his-indeed she drew Il littl
Il closer Yes. was surprised. Henry
:. but YOU see l have had so many SUI
7 prises lately"
y There was something in her voic
: that emboldened Henry to take he
y unresisting into his arms. Aud wha
= are the surprises, darliDg:" he asked.
% First, that you ran away so Guicki
u that-other night here in the garden
x Second, that l did not care after tina
- whether the little bush lived or no
: am very shallow and wicked,
!" know And, third She drew ava
and touched the pink roses with tel
'e der fingers.