The Lamar register., 1918-03-13
WHEN ROSES BLOOM
BY MILDRED WHITE.

Copyright. 1911. Western Newspaper union-)
Many days had Leila sat. her pretty
face pressed close against the window
pane, wistful blue eyes gazing far
down the street but he. had. not come.
He had told her as they parted in
anger that long time ago, though not
yet eight weeks by the caiendar-that
he never would come back, until" he
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 drcary garden. leaves lay thick
upon the ground, the flower beds brown
and desolate. Perhaps he had not
meant to 20 so far In his anger, but
the girl had tried him sorely, Leila, too.
may not have been blameless in that
her smile worked havoc where 1t WINS
merely Intended to be friendly. To
Philip Strong she owed her allegiance,
and her repentance and dismissal Of
each new suitor 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 II. 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 unlnteresting.
pettishly Leila had crossed to the OPP
positc side of ths road to avoid the
| fnteful 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 cal. she reud that OF
Philip Strong; Pit p, brave as she had
| always known him 10 be-and true.
Could he go without a reconciliation?
Could he cross the great seas, perhaps
to his death. without one word OF com
fort for her aching heart? Leila could
not believe It possible. Tears fell upon
| the khaki colorcd sweater she was
Saitting, in the hope-just In the hope
-that he might wear 1t.
But Philip remained silent, as far
away In the little town as though seas
divided. A note might bring him to
her side. word Of repentant love
tiiGht move his heart to forgiveness.
hut youth is proud. and Leila could
not force herself to write that word.
And how could one know? 1t Is II chang
ing world; the heart of Philip Strong
might have changed toward her.
Three days more" so the paper said,
and then the brave soldiers would be
of to camp. Desperately the girl
snntch"d the little red hat he had ad-
mired. Lrcathlessly. she walked
through the bare autumn woods. to the
hilltop. where they had so often
fingered together. on again, past the
stores of the busy town, home dlscour-
aged and heartsick ut evening. And
then, because she wished to be alone,
Leila snt down ut the old piano, to
play In the dusk.
Before her upon the wall hung n
quaint framed mirror, and us she
played. her eyes upraised, suddenly
back to her whitened cheeks came the
wild rose color. A momert her fingers