The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-12
What the White
Rose Saw

The world seemed very fair and
beautiful that summer morning when
/ 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 floated lazily by and whis-
pered sweet messages Of the garden
life. They flattered me until thought
l was the most beautiful thing in the
garden until she came. and then lost
my heart.
A dream Of loneliness she was as
she came down the path clothed all in
clinging 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 violets They told me she was
a 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 remember was one
beautiful night when l heard steps on
the gravel. and looking up saw my
loved one coming. and with her anoth-
er human, taller and not nearly 30
pretty; he did not look like flower
at all, unless II we're to remind one of
the tulips. never did care much for
them. My love was all in white, and
looked like the tail lilies that. grow
near the gate.
lie vas speaking to her in low tones.
I 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 ! loOkeu
up in his FACET looked very white in
/ the moonlight Then he said:
Ruth, you do not understand; |
! have only lived the life of the average
man." lie paused then and came to-
ward mel felt myself trcmble with
apprehension my fears were
realized. he plucked mo. and ! knew
my fate was scalcd-that would new
or be one of her bridal roses thought
she started when she saw what he had
done.
lie handed me to Ruth Take this
little rose. dear. as a symbol Of your
purity and noblcncss and trust me.~
cannot you do this?"
Her voice as she replied was cold
and hard--l scarcely recognized 1t as
tho same that had talked SO lovingly
to us Maurice. am not to be trifed
with. | want to know tho truth. and
you must let mo DO the Judge as to its
significance in the weaving Of our lives
hereafter"
well. then. Ruth, will tell you-"
Here I lost their conversation. for at
his first words she dropped me on the
path and they walked on.
lay o long while on the rough
gravel. feeling lonely and homesick for
my swaying bush. when 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
quito near me. She stood mot!onlcss,
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 I'm heap on the
gravel near me
How | longed To comfort her-and |
think she must have felt my sympa-
thy. for after a while she put out her
hand and raised me to her lips and
kissed me so tcnderly. that even now.
though | am old and yellow and shriv.
eled. thrill at the recollection. After
while she arose and carried ne into
the house and UP 10 her room-this
Was now world 10 me-. and Won
dcr'd What VAS coming n.Nj She
stood for Il long while looking our at
'he moonlit garden. caresslnc me soft
~. Finally. she murmured II IS
10 use. | cannot face f." Carrying ne
over to close, she took uui a tiny
bottle and slowly drank lis contents.
| had confused sense Of her fingers
tightening around me. and then she
staggered backward and fell 10 lie
floor. and was still in her hand All
through the night lay there watching
her. wondering why she lay so still
and white. After while faint slim
mer OF light came in at the window
heard the chirp OF birds GU: In tho
garden. and the old familiar morn.
ing sounds, seeming so faint and far
away. How longed TO be DOWN with
my COMPANIONS breathing in the SOL
sweetness of the summer morning
Everything was gloon,.- and unfam;l-
lar in the great room and Ruth lay
SO still and white and did ROT speak
TO NE.
Suddenly there was sound Of other