The Washington herald., 1918-12-20

| white x
Little poet" The words sang tiera-
selves over and over in her bfhsA
1 They were a part Of that new word
into which she had been ushered- 80.
lately. after such weary waiting.
though Rebeeca. OF course, did ec{
know that she had waited. nor fheS
she was awesry. She knew only tkas
she rembled and felt sudden sweet
fear.
Her Emotion stifted-
But, as before. her emotion became
suddenly stilied. Martin stood beside
her. amazed at her abrupt movement
and at her silence. OF whose cause he
could have no possible understanding.
Then the remembrance OF beautifai
women whom she had known came
to her aid. wo1ld Maud Haverhfl
or Mary Stone or Winifred Ames trem-
bic and bush at a compliment from
one who was almost a stranger'
She laughed gently and said In bor-
rowed accents:
'Flatterer!" at the same time slip
ping her hand again through his arm.
She felt comforsn the warm con-
tact The arm was strong. she knew
Before ] show you my garden" she
said, you must sit upon the throne"
She slowly led him to broad rustic
seat which faced in the direction Va
which they had been gazing. Il wak
solid backed, made Of closely set logs.
The seat was smooth. the rounded
sides Of the logs having been cut
I down and planed until they presented
an even surface.
Now" said Rebecca when she had
placed him comfortably in the corner,
now you may look. Right beside Us
is long rambling bush Of yellow
roses. They Chamber over a treIlls 4
am going to pluck one now for my
T, hair TO match my ribbons"
She suited her action TO her words
And running straight down before
US is path OF gravel Mignouette
and sweet william and heIiotrope and
| forget-me-nOt all try TO climb over A.
] keep pushing them back They are
like naughty little children: but I 90
not punish them too severely.
There on the left are my holly
/ hooks. They are all colors-yeIlow
and white and purple and pink-great
soldier flowers In gay uniforms keep
/ ing guard over my rose beds. OH
you must see them close by"
KneeIed at Rose Beds.
She laid her hand on Martins arm
| again. when they were quite close
/ TO the rose beds. she bade him drop
/ to his knees and she did the same.
Now" she cried Fayly. Now put
! out your hands and gather them 10
/ your face"
Martin did so. and felt his fingers
! clasp themselves around a great mass
. Of dewy sweetness.
Exquisite he said
He was thinking OF more than the b
roses. Who else would have con-
| ceived such an act?
| They are pink" said Rebecca
! your fayOrite color"
Il am wondering" Martin answered.
| turning his sightless eyes toward her.
whether yellow is not my color after
/ all Let me see you now. You have
] shown me everything but yourself
( the queen OF the garden"
! RebeCca caught her breath shsrpIv.
/ but she remembered In time that 20
/ him she was not the homely Miss
I NanderpOol OF HUodlesford but a
I woman well used TO the batteries sscg
I the polite world.
Ny dress is white" she made an
! swer. ar they reEained their feet.
white muslin II is oh. 50 plain. but
il is soft and shirred, and there = a
. pale yellow ribbon about nv waist
II hangs down at my side in long
ends. The basket is like the basket
OF a Dresden shepherdess. Here, you
may feel il She passed the little
sewing basket 70 him and he Eravely
ran his fingers over Il, and il hangs
over my arm from a pale yellow rib
ria
shaped white hat with a cascade Ot
yellow roses tumbling over the top
Of il This is the first time have
had il on"
Then you are a golden girl today
said Martin. "On the whole. am
sure that l like yellow best"
HoIIyhocks Their Guards +.
These are white roses" said Re
becca, leading him 10 another bush.
and then she showed him the pausles
growing around the roots Of the roses.
The roses handmaids." she said.
Just as the ho.lyhOcks are their
guard.
You love roses" said Martin
Yes. on yes" answered Rebeccs-
they mean more 10 me than any
other flower"
And you are their queen-gueen OF
the roses; that If what ] shall call you
always, in memory OF a happy hour
/ Queen OF the Roses"
As they returned slowly 70 the
house for breakfast. they exchanged
scarcely a word
RebeCca's arm rested famiIiarly
upon his. as though ii belonged there.
| The blind mans beautiful. sightless
eyer were raised and his face wore a
rapt expression. IL seemed 20 be
still viewing the distant woods. the
cattle, the rolling meadows, and Re-
! beCca among her flowers.
| A yellow rose adorned his button
/ hole.
| Rebecca had pIuckod Il for him.
and with unaccustomed fingers had
/ placed It there. From her basket
/ trailed yellow and white roses. pam
! sizes. heliotrope. and delicate ferns.
Z Her head was a little bent. so that
! the brim of the hollow sheIl-sha ped
I hat covered hcr face TO the chin. Her
/ eyes were misty with happiness. and
Z over and over in her mind. in sort
I OF refrain, ran the words. Queen OF
/ the roses! Queen Of the rOsesi"
Ito be COntIuued TomOrrorA