Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-06-03
!, L-BVT-OP
!; ROS ES
} Being the Story of a Happy
Decoration Day.
BY MANDA L. CROCKER.
BY MANDA L. ROCKER.
Isn't Genie going, too"

pursed up her mouth mysteriously n
whispered, "Oh, no." looking straight
at Miss Egerton.
Ali" The half suppressed excla-
nation Of the curious Winnie was met
with a solemn shake of the head by
Aunt Helen, and, together, they went
down the steps.
1t was on the occasion of the first
Decoration day, and all Clear Brook
was out periodically in honor of the
brave departed. But Miss Genie, the
shy little southern girl, who lived with
the Burnhams, shrank from taking part
in the exercises.
Miss Burlington had come north at
the close Of the war to make her home
with Aunt Helen; and no n knew
better than she why the dark-eyed
niece did not join the fower-laden
ranks in memory of the nations dead.
Then, this northern auntie knew Of
something else; a strengthening
mound-that is, strange for a garden
hidden away in the farthest corner be-
hind the big syringa.
Yet it was there, fashioned by Miss
Genie's own hands, a memorial to the
brave but mistaken lover who fell at
Allatoona.
Although he had turned in misled
duty from the stars and stripes to the
palmetto, he had been royalty loyal to
her to the last: for had he not
staunched his wounds with his coat or
gray and kissed her picture as he faint
ly said: "Goodby, little sweetheart; it
is all over with me now!"
And no one ever gave it a thought,
either, why the girl was so partial to
gray gowns trimmed with blue, and
blu gowns trimmed with gray; that Is,
no one but Aunt Helen. She had fig
ured 1t out after the unerrlng arith-
metiC Of a woman's heart, n under
stood.
Antony was wrong" Miss Genie was
wont to say but he was true as
the heavens to what he deemed duty,
and to me- She always looked so
panied when she said this, that one
could almost see the shadow of car
mage on her face.
But she had put away the mistake"
and, in honor Of a nee more united
brotherhood under the old flag and tho
memory Of handsome Antony Packard,
she habitually wore blues and grays.
II heard what she said" unused the
neat figure in the middle Of the sunny
morning room and two misty eyes
looked w~istfully after the disappearing
ladies. oh, yes; l heard, but auntie
will keep my secret. 1 know"
A thankful confidence lighted up her
countenance as she turned away to
finish the busting, for Miss Genie was
a real Ebenezer in the Burnham home.
By and by she put on a broad
brimmed hat, something after the style
of sweet southern days and pleasant
plantation custom, before there vas a
confederacy, n went out alone in the
soft May weather. I
The spring had been tardy and the
old-fashfoned roses were still in great,
sleepy buds, the last few kindly days
of warmer airs not having been suffi-
Client for their unfolding.
But the pTumy lfIacs, white as milk,
and purple as royal attire, were still in
bloom; besides, there were oceans of
pansfes and violets.
The lilacs are like-conquering
piumes," she said dreamily, holding her
flushed cheek close to their wealth Of
fragrance, land the pansfes have such
innocent earnest faces"-looking down
lovingly at them-"but the all but open
roses here are most suitable" and she
kissed the dawning beauty of Sharon
n the great double white"
Gathering a basket To the overlooking
Of the all but-open" treasures and a
sprinkling of pansfes and taking a wide
shallow dish and some water, Miss
Genie timed her feet to an old south
ern melody Of childhood days-his and
hers-and marched slowly down the
path.
The birds warbled little tender notes
as she passed, and the bees droned In
lower monotone as the lonely proces-
sion Of one made it's way to the corner
shielded by the friendly syringa.
"Of course, he isn't here she said
in tremulous tones, as she knelt to ar
range the Offering, but he sn't there
either" thinking of the cemetery where
now the poole were assembling, 80 my
flowers are as appropriate in this place
as-anywhere."
Pressing the dish into the earth, she
filled 1t with water, and then arranged
the bursting buds, 80 that they all
might '1ok heavenward," bordering
them with the other blossoms.
"Pansies," she murmered softly,
touching their surprised faces, Il leave
you, dainty little soldiers. on picket
duty. Keep off the enemy these UNI
blown roses, my sober little friends.
are types of-of his life and-mine:
full Of beautiful possibilities, but
broken off before the realization"
Then, bowling her head, she breathed
a prayer that even the pansies did not
hear.
The afternoon shadows were length
ening on the lawn and Miss Buffing-
ton sat on the steps, humming "Ameri-
ca" and mending wee Boobies flag.
The stwipes got tored from the stars.
didn't a." questioned the miniature
soldier, leaning comfortably on his
sedate cousins knee.
Yes, Bobbie, the dear old flag has
seen lots OF trouble" and her lips shut
tightly over a sigh. as she fastened the
last stitch uniting the ''stwipes" to the
stars again.
An lots o. wars an thingsT"
Yes, dear"
An Decoration day coined EN-" per-
sisted Miss Genie's young relative,
waving the mended flag thoughtfuliy.
Yes, Bobbie."
AN folks put posies on sojers' graves
cause thy're solly?"
Yes, ! think that is one reason" she
answered. looking away over Behhie's
head and seeing Aunt Helen coming
through the ~shrubbery alone
Are you solly, too. Cousin Deena p
and the blue eyes were lifted ~curiously.
Your IN Is coming. dear" she
replied evasively; and away went
Bobbie to meet his mother and pour
a grist of questions into the maternal
cal.
WHO did she march with? Did Miss
Eddyton dit lost? Who carried the flag;
and who drummed the big drum? And.
could he go next time IL he growed a
whole lot?"
WI