Americus times-recorder., 1919-12-01

my own speech about Walter now he
longing entirely to Rose, had I ever
thought of it. Perhaps because of
that utterance l would find the rea-
son why Everett never had bestowed
upon me the same kind of love he
had given Leola?
The very next day l visited the
cemetery. 1t was a beautiful place.
Gods acres came into nv mind
and for just moment l forgot nv
errand. But only for a moment.
hunted the caretaker, and asked
him if he knew where Mrs. Everett
Graham was buried.
"Oh, yes ma'am! Right this way
You're stranger here, l take it?"
Yes, l never have been here be-
fore"
"There it is, a'am-that tall shaft
over there to the left
"You care for the plot?" | asked,
scarcely knowing how to question the
gray-haired man.
Eyes, ma'am. There's money to
keep it in order. Then too there's
a party brings flowers"
So l was right! Everett still kept
flowers on Leola's grave after all
these years, and even though he had
married again l felt that the tears
were near, so with a gesture I dis
missed the old caretaker and went
alone the remainder of the way to
the shaft he had pointed out to me.
The plot was beautifully kept.
Fresh flowers were in an urn and
more in a vase at the base of the
shaft. He must have been there no
later than yesterday, l thought, as
l noticed that the flowers had not yet
commenced to droop.
"Leola, beloved wife of Everett
Age 26." I read aloud, then
repeated, Beloved wife of Everett
Graham"
l stood for several minutes strug-
Cling to hold back the tears-to quiet
the emotion which those words, add
ed to the sight of the flowers, had
created.
"She was his beloved wife-is yet"
murmured.
Someway l fell that, of all my
story, this jealousy of woman who,
years before l met my husband had
passed over the great divideA will be
least understood-perhaps not COM
pretended in the least by women and
men who have never known what it
is to be "the second" in person s
affections. But l am sure there are
many second wives who-were they
own that, always lurk-
ing in the back of their minds, ready
to spring full-fedged into disturbing
thoughts, is jealousy of the woman
who was first in the affection OF the
man they love, first in his life-the
woman who, as Rose had expressed
it. was Number One"
It was with the thought of helping
other women in my position, that
began my story. 1t is the longing
10 save them from making my mis-
takes, that has made me so on with
t. If | succeed in either endeavor,
{ is reward enough-excuse enough
for having barred my own heart, tell
ng of my mistakes.
So, as l stood there, jealous
thoughts surged over me. was SO
leeply absorbed l had heard no sound
Until some one said: /
Good morning, Mrs. Graham, I
u1ned to see Mrs. Currie. In her
arms were some rose bushes, small
,nes for planting, and little way
if the caretaker with his shovel.
scWhv-what-" / stammered.
"What am l doing here? l will
tell YOU. When HE died." Il knew
sbe meant Mr.. Currie), che left a !
etter asking that flowers be put mere
for him. He also told, in that let
ter, how innocent ana pure hau Oe0i'
his relations with HER. I only re-
,eived that letter after l made my
last visit to you. His lawyer sent 1t
10 me from England. l had always
thought him faithless. He was not!
Now can think of him happily
Love goes where it is sent, you know;
and he couldn't help loving her. SO
: am having rose trees planted. Il
am going abroad to live, and this is
the only way can be sure his wishes
will be carried out. He said she loved
roses" II,
eyes, she loved roses,' replied
scarcely knowing what l was saying