Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-25


condition suited Henry's purposes very
we'll. He was in the church when
Rose arrived with a 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 I'm 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.
It was long after midnight when he
came forth from his own gate bearing
a dark object in his arms. In one
hand he carried a strong little spade.
Although it was dark. the way to the
rosebush in Rose Brayton's garden
was familiar ground. At last he stood
beside it for an instant frresolute.
Around him the darkness seemed to
press softly He could smell the fresh
turf, wet by recent rain. and the pun
gent odor of a yellow Towering shrub
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 a strong.
sturdy little bush he had obtained
from the florist green with leaves and
blushing with a multitude Of half
opened buds. Carefully, as well as he
could In the darkness, he cleared away
the debris and went home, but not to
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 door
when he saw Rose just ahead Of him.
She had declined a pronfered escort
and was fitting alone in the darkness.
He caught glimpse Of light colored
dress, and as in dream he heard one
girl speak to another one, Rose Bray
toms got on blue dressI"
He found himself speeding after
Rose with a strange exultation in his
heart Could it be true, after all, that
Rose might care for some one else7
But perhaps it was somebody she had
met while away. So he tortured him
self as he followed her home. At the
gate he put forth a OBTAINING hand as
it closed behind her.
Rose" he said.
She paused and came toward him.
There was, or he fancied fl. a little
tremble in her voice. YES" was all
she said. He opened the gate and
boldly took her hand He led her
across the grass to the spot where the
rosebush was planted. a broad square
of light from some window in the
house formed a setting for the bush
Henry had planted at midnight. Its
pink blossoms seemed to clutch at his
heart. So much depended on that lit
tie bush.
Il thought you said-you said the
little bush was dead, Rose. Were you
not surprised TO come home and find
it alive and blooming?" he asked.
Rose did not withdraw her hand
from his-indeed. she drew a little
closer. Yes, 1 was surprised, Henry.
but you see l have had so many sur
prises lately"
There was something in her voice
that embroidered Henry TO take her
into his arms. ~And what
are the surprises. darliugf" he asked.
First. that you ran away so quickly
that-other night here in the garden.
Second, that / did not care after that
whether the little bush lived or not.
l am very shallow and wicked, /
know. And. third She drew away
and touched the pink roses with ten
der fingers.
And third and last!" asked Henry.
drawing closer to her face, radiant in
the lampliGht
Last Of all, / am surprised to find
pink roses growing on a little bush
that has always borne white ones"
She was laughing at his chagrin.
Il. too. am finding pink roses where
white ones bloomed so long" said
Henry. with sudden ardor And then
the pink roses In her cheeks changed
to deeper crimson under the magic
touch of his lips.