Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-12-25
WHEN ROSES BLOOM
BY MILDRED WHITE.

Copyright 1871. Western Newspaper Union
Many days had Leila sat. her prett,
face pressed close against the window
pane, wistful blue eyes gazing fal
down the street, but he, had not come
He had told her as they parted II
anger that long time ago, though moi
yet eight weeks by the calendar-thai
he never would come back, until" hs
added scornfully, "your roses are
blooming again." That at the time
had seemed to him the most hopeless
emblem. About them. as they stood
In the dreary garden, leaves lay thick
upon the ground, the flower beds brown
and desolate. Perhaps he had not
meant to go so far In his anger, but
the girl had tried him sorely. Leila, too
may not have been blaneless In that
her smile worked havoc where It was
merely intended to be friendly. To
Philip Strong she owed her allegiance,
and her repentance and dismissal Of
each new sutton heretofore had won his
speedy pardon, but this-was "the last
time" he told her. "If 1t happens
again." he had said, 81 will never
come back" and-it had happened
again.
The splendid car belonging to the
latest young man from the city, with
"a vista of glorious autumn ride, had
been her temptation. Leila had taken
that ride, and because of It, Philip was
never coming back, until her roses
blOOmed again. Dead against the
early fallen snow lay the bushes. In
vain she had used former coaxing
wiles, which had never failed to win,
lingering carelessly, yet with eyes
bright and eager, to await the evening
train. Twice, Philip had passed her,
swinging along easily, with firm
pressed lips, his hat just raised in
greeting. And now, the other man had
become so tiresomely uninteresting,
pettishly Leila had crossed to the OPP
posite side Of the road to avoid the
Hateful driver Of that same splendid
car; but now, greater foreboding
possessed the girl. Among the printed
names of those accepted to answer
their country's call, she read that Of
Philip Strong; Philip, brave as she had
always known him TO be-and true.
Gould he go without a reconciliation?
Gould he cross the great seas, perhaps
% his death, without one word Of COM
'ort for her aching heart? Leila could
lot believe 1t possible. Tears fell upon
he khaki colored sweater she was
in the hope-just in the hope
that he might wear it.
But Philip remained silent, as far
lway in the little town as though seas
iivided. A note might bring him to
Ter side, a word of repentant love
night move his heart TO forgiveness,
tut youth is proud, and Leila could
lot force herself to write that word.
md how could one know? 1t is a chang
ne world the heart of Philip Strong |
night have changed toward her.
Three days MORE" so the paper said,
nd then the brave soldiers would be |
Fl to camp. Desperately the girl
Matched the little red hat he had adj
hired. breathlessly, she walked
trough the bare autumn woods, to the
illtop, where they had so often
ngered together, on again. past the
torres of the busy town, home dlscour-
ged and heartsick at evening. And
len, because she wished to be alone,
ella sat down at the old piano, to
lay in the dusk.
Before her upon the wall hung a
uaint framed mirror, and as she
layed, her eyes appraised, suddenly
lck to her whitened cheeks came the
lid rose color. A moment her fingers
then triumphantly pressed
ie keys. For in the mirror the girl
nd seen u vision-a vision of a mans
Ildier-clad figure, his face deep with
,nder yearning. Leila laughed hap
lily at the stars. In the morning she
ould go up to the top of the hill,
here in the sunshine, a little old
oman tended a dollhouse of glass.
Iere, upon festive occasions came the
omen of the town to purchase bloom
lg plants.
1.-TWO days more" whispered the
rl, and again at dusk her fingers
)uched the keys of the old plano.
he vision this time was long in COM
lg, but at last she saw 1t in the mir
Or, the somber reflected eyes beneath
soldiers hat Of felt. Then as Philip
trong fingered for his long farewell
'Ol, light blazed through the win
ow, and the girl stood gazing out at
i'm above blooming rose tree.
Wistfully she bent to touch with her
ands the fragrant flowers, then with