The Washington herald., 1914-04-11
DAILY SHORT STORY.
TULIPS IN THE SQUARE.
BY ROSE BENNINGTON.

difficulties OF Herr Baum, choirmaster
Of St. Luke's. on the very eve OF his
famous. Easter festival
And for Margaret Hall. released only
that day from the city pesthouse and
lying stretched out on the window sill
os n wretched room there was-the
wretched room for week, no money and
no voice! Why hadn't they let her die?
She clutched hopelessly at the cords of
her throat. Paralysis" the city's doc
tor said pitifuIly. and turned away from
the blight in her face.
Her great voice was gone the voice
that would nave borne her to the high
pinnacles OF fame. Because of II she
had sent Robert Lynn out of her life.
though he had pleaded nightly to stay.
Would he care now, IL he knew, shs
wondered. She prayed that he might
meyer know, and-brcathcd his name pas
sionately out into The night.
A bit Of April breeze hurried pity
ingly and caressed the hot dry checks
"a bit Of breeze that was soft and
earthly. and sweet with hope and flow
ere. Flowers. She looked up with
dawning eagerness. They were out
there beyond the clotheslines and Chin
ney pots and the church with the spire
crimson and yellow tulips. whole beds
of them, in the square. Perhaps they
would let her lie there through the cool,
dark night with their dewey petals on
her parched lips She drew daring
breath. She would go quickly away from
the sordid room-out, out to the tulips in
the square.
Down the rickety step" she passed 20
the street She felt strangely bOuyant
and strong. block. and the bOuy-
ancy had left her: another, and needle
stabs of pain pricked at her knees and
feet The tickle April breeze no longer
lured her OH. There was a ClinGing chill
in il.
The vestry door Of the church with
the spire was open. Two men went
strollinE in, and a woman with a book
under her arm. The girl hesitated and
slowly turned. She would rest in there,
and after a while-gO back. She was
too tired tonight for the tulips.
She pushed the padded door open into
the warm. hower-sCented air Of the
church and sank exhausted and faint into
a nearby seat. The organ rolled out a
few big notes and as through a mist
she saw the choir gathering to the stalls.
and down in front OF the chancel Il
woman huttering among lilies.
The choir. Lilies, Why. il was Easter
time. She started up. She had forgot
ten. and in another moment they were
going to sing. She must get away. She
could not bear that yet-not yet!
But even as she. staggered to her feet
a tall queen lily seemed to beekon her
imperiously. She Gazed at II fascinated.
held in spite of herself. II drew her.
Conscious of the strange vigor in her
limbs again, she walked straight into the
perfumCd presence and pulled the proud
head hunGrily TO her lips.
The woman looked at her with more
than a passing curiosity. You are as
white as the lilies, child" she said. Are
you il?'
The girl did not answer. The organ
had begun and she seemed to be listen
ing. With the first notes of the great
prelude a sort of terror took possession
Of her and she looked around wildly as IL
TO escape. The next moment she was
withering in the throes of a mortal strug-
gle. her fingers beat and tugged at her
throat as though they would tear her
in pieces. and she fought frantically for
breath. The woman rushed to her. only
TO be thrown back against a pillar.
The organ. threading its tortuous maze
Of perpleNity and grief seemed TO drag
the girl merciIessly into its agony; then.
gradually feeling the way into clearer
spaces. in the same manner IL seemed
to call her out OF her confusion and
torment of spirit until it reached out
triumphantly after its great redecmnS
chord of victory and life. Then at last
the girls convuisive fingers dropped and
a something that was at first unbelief.
then hope. then veritable surety. swept
her face like a flame.
The thing that happens once. maybe.
in a generation. in century, had hap
pdned
The little figure under the queen lily
straishtened and stretched out both her
arms. waiting for the releasing chord.
And when il Came-and pauscd-Clear.
unencumbered. eNultant. the imprisoned
voice burst its bounds, and leaped fear
iessIy out into the pregnant silence. Be
hold. Behold. they have rolled away the
stone,''
The choirmaster of St Luke's whirled
around on his chair. ITc was to have
patched the prelude to the first cnscm-
BILE. omitting the great opening solo
What did it mean? They looked in turn
at him dumb with amaZemCnt.
But the voice sang on, rising i'm su-
preme release.
Herr Baum fell on his keys. fumbIed.
found them finally. and accompanied il
in unhalting winged flight up to the last
regal note. Then with n bound he was
down among the choir.
Who did that" nc shouted. who
did it,
\ choir girl pointed umldiy. Herr Baum
looked around. Al the entrance to the
chanccl. between the high lilies. a girl
was standing, a girl with a radiant,
glorified face.
lit was L. she breathed ecstatic-
ally. 'I-oh. it is a miracle: couldn't
help it, Tell her l didn't mean to take
her solo. She wouldn't mind il she knew.
and I am going now-away"
Mean to do il, Who are you. girl?''
His voice was rough with excitement, and
the girl fell back from him. the joy in
her face in the instant less vivid.
The woman interpcsed sharply. Herr
Baum. can't you see? This girl has
been i'll. She didn't mean any harm. I
saw it all. Something wonderful has
happened to her.
Harm, Harm nc reared What are
Won talking about? She's an angel right
1 L Ill