The Prescott daily news., 1912-07-10
What the White
 Rose Saw

me world seemed very 1alr ana beautiful that summer morning when l first awoke to a consciousness of its existence and of my own life and fragrance, and thrust a tiny white petal out from among the close green leaves to take my first view of it was very happy In those early days. The bees and humming-birds kissed me as they foated lazily by and whis pered sweet messages of the garden life. They flattered me until thought was the most beautiful thing in the garden until she came, and then lost my heart
 A dream of loveltness she wae es she came down the path clothed all in clingirg pink, just the color of the moss roses that grow near me, with hair like the sunlight that lies spark ling on the soft grass, and eyes like dark violetA They told me she was human
 One day she stopped by the bush and told us she was very happy, but would soon be much happier; then she patted us and called us her bridal roses, and declared no one should touch us until she gathered us for her wedding day.
 The next thing I remember was one beautiful night when heard steps on the gravel and looking up saw my loved one coming, and with her anoth- CT human, taller and not nearly so pretty; he did not look like flower at all. unless 1t were to remind one of the tulips. I never did care much for them. My love was all in white, and looked like the tall lilies that grow near the gate.
 He was speaking to her in low tones. could not hear what he said, but could hear her voice plainly. She was saying: Maurice, if there is any truth in this, tell mel cannot bear to think you would deceive me" Then I looked up In his face-it looked very white in the moonlight Then he said:
 Ruth, you do not understand; have only lived the life of the average man" He paused then and came to- ward mel felt myself tremble with apprehension-yes, my fears were realized. he plucked me, and I knew my fate was sealed-that would nev- CT be one of her bridal roses. thought she started when she saw what he had done.
 He handed me to Ruth. "I'ake this little rose, dear, as a symbol of your purity and nobleness and trust me cannot you do this?"
 Her voice as she replied was cold and hard-I scarcely recognized 1t as the same that had talked so lovingly to us. Maurice, am not to be trifled with l want to know the truth, and you must let me be the judge as to its significance in the weaving of cur lives hereafter"
 Well. then, Ruth. will tell you" Here I lost their conversation, for at his first words she dropped mo on the path and they walked on.
 lay long while on the rough gravel, feeling lonely and homesick for my swaying bush. when I was aroused by hearing Ruth say, in broken, tear full tones; Leave me, Maurice. for the sake of my love for you, leave me ? I heard him plead with her-then he turned suddenly and left her standing quite near me. She stood motionless as though listening to catch the last sound of his footsteps-the click of the gate sounded in the distance, and then all was silent At last she gave one sob and fell all in heap on the gravel near me.
 How longed to comfort her-and I think she must have felt my sympa- thy, fer after while she put out her hand cLd raised me to her lips ard