The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-02-19
The Park Goddess and the Rose

feet.
Elizabeth" The nurses
shocked voice followed the child, as
with peal of merry laughter,
flash of blue silk and flying curls,
she disappeared around the other
end of the hedge.
The youth ate the food greedily,
then picked up the rose. The brood
ing bitterness was gone from his
face; gradually hope began to dawn
in his eyes. He had had sympathy
without revulsion, charity without
condescension. The food did him
much good. The kindness did him
infinitely more--it gave him conf
dence in himself. He felt suddenly
that things were going to turn for
the better. There was good stuff in
him and he would bring 1t out. They
couldn't keep him down. His faith
in himself restored, and the pangs
of hunger quieted, the memory of his
temptation earlier in the day struck
him as gross weakness. He trembled
at the thought of it and firmly de-
cided to stay straight, no matter what
happened. He never wanted to see
the inside of a Jail again.
The run warmed him pleasantly.
He told himself he would rest a lit
tie before again trying to get work.
He felt sure that this time he would
succeed. He settled himself COM
fortably and dozed off.
He awoke with a shiver. The sun
was setting. The park was deserted.
Not sound broke the stiffness, ex-
cept the bedtime fuss of birds. He
started to leave the bench when he
caught the measured crunch Of
gravel beneath the tread Of the park
policeman. He sat very still, hoping
the minion of the law would pass
by on the other side. He was happy
and confident, and felt he couldn't
bear the gimlet stare just then. He
glanced down at the rose he still
held, and a half smile curved his
boyish lips. He would keep that
rose always, as sort Of mascot. 1t
might bring him luck.
But the policeman didn't pass by
on the other side. He came and
stood looking down upon the youth.
He recognized the stigma" and
scowled.
Better move on" And then he
saw the rose.
Been picking flowers, eh? Don't
you know it's $40 fine to pick flowers
in the park?"
The youth went white and began
to tremble. His eyes followed the
policeman's glance from the rose he
held to the laden bush behind him.
The blooms were identical.
Il didn't pick it," he stam-
mered but the knowledge of the
stigma caused him to drop his eyes
guiltily.
Don't lie!" threatened the police
man "It's 10 bucks or 10 days
you can have your choice!"
Real terror looked out of the
youths eyes now.
But-but-a little girl gave 1t to
mel didn't pick 1t! A little girl
in blue silk-with brown curls-she
gave it to mel"
"A likely story" The officers
eyes swept the youth meaningly;
then he added: "The less trouble
you make, the better for you!"
The boys eyes grew tragic with
bitterness His pale face set In
stern, hard lines. With sneering lips
he looked down upon the flower he
held, emblem of love and friendship,
turned to weapon against him. His
impulse was to crush 1t in his hand
and throw it far from him. Then
between it and him there visualized
a dainty child's face, framed in
brown curls-a face innocent and
full of sympathy and confidence. A
moment he tottered on the brink Of
reckless despair. Then the black
look left his face.
"It's just luck" he said to him
self reassuringly. when | get out
I'll show them. They can't keep a
good man down! There's good stuff
and plenty of tin Billy Nc
Mahon. I'll prove"
Are you coming?" The harsh
voice cut his thought in twain.
"Yes-I'm coming"
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