Middletown transcript., 1912-12-28

was little garden. There were
red roses in the garden on the
right and white roses in the gar
den ond the left. 1t seemed as II
the owner of the white rose gar
den might exchange blossoms
with the owner of the red rose
garden. But there was no ex'
change. Bitterness and strlle
existed where there should nave
been harmony, and the man VINO
owned the red rose garden never
spoke to the woman in whose
beds the white flowers bloomed'
It was a feud of such long
standing, however, that the en-
emies had grown gray while light
ing it out, and their children had
waxed strong and tall, and had
reached the age of loving even
while their elders hated.
Because of that hatred the boy
and girl were forced into secrecy
They hid their good friendship,
and when they walked in the RED
rose or the white rose garden
only their eyes strayed across
the fence. These glances and
the trysts they kept in the little
grove a half mile away on the
hill were the sole outlets for the
emotions that were beginning to
possess them deeply. In fact
they were in love.
It's no use trying to hide it
from anybody, David said when
he had kissed Elvira for the first
time.
Elvira flushed. But they will
never let US marry, David, she
said.
The boy clinched his fists. But
we can run away, he told her de-
family.
Elvira shook her head. Mother
loves me too much for that.
l know. The defiance left
David's voice. Father loves me,
TOO, but he hates your mother.
They talked over the feud after
that, of the quarrel about the
strip of land that had made the
first trouble. Elvira's father and
David's mother had died, still
clinging to the old differences
and the other two had lived to
fight the battle to the bitter end.
They will never let US marry,
Elvira said again, so we might as
we'll give it up right now, David.
never give anything up, the
boy said, doggedly. | will find
a way, EIvira.
The next day they met in the
same place, and David had plan
Elvira listened with cloud9d eyes.
But when they find it out, she
said, they will be furious.
Weshall be married then, David |
stated, triumphantly.
That night when he went home
the boy told his father of hislove
for Elvira. As he had expected, |
there was a storm of protest. In |
the first lull David murmured: |
But of course l never can marry |
Elvira. 1t would kill her mother. |
The old man pricked up his
ears. Would it hurt her mother? |
he questioned.
In the next house Elvira was
telling her mother of her love for
David. But 1 never can marry
him, she said. 1t would kill his
father.
Elvlra's mother gazed out Of
Jhe window. I Isuppose he woulu
i, It IL, she agreed.
The next day when David met
Elvira in the grove his face was
radiant. What do you think
father said to me this morning?
ne asked.
Elvira shook her head. She
was not radiant. Her face was
white and there were shadows
lnder her eyes.
Well, David related, he said a
breakfast that he thought a man
'ught to be allowed to marry the
woman he cared for. l believe
le will give his consent if he
kinks it will hurt your mother,
Elvira.
The tears welled up in Elvira's
yes. Oh, David, she murmured.
t does not seem right for US to
'lay such a game.
But David took herin his arms !
nd consoled her. All's fair il
ove and war, he quoted. +
It was interesting after that to T
ee the part that the elders I
Ilayed in the little comedy.
)avid's father chuckled over his
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