The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-08-11

" tinted and the whole garden was
!'iwocning with fragrance.
ut Is bsautitul-and so strange"
y whispered Cynthia as she chung 10
her companions hand. ~ am al
most afraid, Madge!"
HaTkl What is that" Madge
dragged her down behind the
hedge, shiverinS the silence with
tinkhng solemnity.
Midnight, s'hivered Cynthia.
NO lot us 80 back-I hate rose
Kardens!" =,
Wai!-some one Is coming"
cautioned the other, and 80 they
waited With frightened, hearts and
icy hands. "some one Is coming
from The other 6irectlor- wish
I could Seey
y Slowly she raised herself until
che could stand erect behind q
hi bush Of immense white blooms,
( then she dragged Cynthia to her
feat. Look!"
The girlish faces pressed close
10 the roses grew pale with the
tragedy Of what they saw. A
Ewoman's tall form, thin almost to
tnytsib1ity IN that uncertain light,
clad IN soft gray, moved among
the roses with q beautiful, cold
face; passed slowly from bush to
bush gar1ering the faded, bursting
roses. She seemed to know when
Ito touch them-for they would fall
into her outspread hands. She
buried her proud cold face among
the sweet petals and then dropped
them into a deep basket hung from
her arm.
As she went from bush to bush,
NJ mnrmured little snatches Of
s6ng-o ldtashioned melodies that
the girls had laughed at when they
heard them elsewhere, but tonight
they wept as they listened.
sSuch 9 poor sad ghost" sob5ed
SCynthia.
AS L the whispering reached
her ears, the ghost turned swiftly
and glided rather than walked out
Of the garden and vanished be-
yond the locust grove.
I'VE must tell Professor Ray
nes," whispered Madge.
sLet US wait another night"
urged Cynthia, and Madge CON
scented.
The next day. they we're driving
through the village when they saw
the tall form Of the rose garden
ghost. She was Just leaving the
woman's exchange and her gray
gown disappeared around a corner
as their motor stopped at the
door: Let US 90 inside" said
cynthia.
They examined the delicate
tancywork, the homemade can
dies, and finally Judge plucaed her
companions arm. Look" she
whispered. In. the showcase was
a heap Of dainty net bags filled
with dried rose petals, tied with
5rpSe-c olored ribbons and delicately
embroidered.
Miss Nash's rose sachets,' e1-
planned the attendant. "They are
delightfully."- fragrant-her roses
must be very sine-here are
lavender ones too." The, girls
bought some sachet and wertback
to Rose Court.
we must tell Professor Raynes'
said Cynthia that evening. "She
Is trespassing Of course-but the
Door sonl may need the rose
petals am sure he would not
care, for rose petals bring her a
living anyway"
Professor Raynes listened to
TIER story with incredibly. They
walked down to the rose garden,
Look: there is hardly q fallen
have noticed that-I thought
y was Heny's diligence and raised
his wages-I told him to let the
peals lie-l liked to see them"
But Miss Nash began Madge
ren the professor clutched her
Miss Nash-Rose Nash?" he
6tammered.
y must wait and sec her-l
thought she had gone away for
tIer, years ago-she used to board
With Miss Cherry" His head
dropped Into his hands-"Rose-
my queen Of all the roses" he
whispered.
The girls left him alone dream-
ing among bis roses, but that night
be was very silent at dinner and
late IN the evening he vanished
ind did not return.
we must 30 to the garden, I"
cfted Cynthia, and they planned 10
meet at midnight. The garden was
1iight under the roses. Beeutifnl
Rose Nash plucking halt.blown
hudg 70 wear on her breast and
sone for the professors buttonhole.
hide roses, dearest" he was
Fsae teaaeE!y, Always bride
~ ypH v make up for lost time.
oi1ofEnH-a wedding here
Among the roses!".
she sad Eyes," murmured
4 aeye, as the two girls crept
aNty, easad By the wonderful love
llefY that had been revealed be-
sttt shesseyes.
tiuest. iacss are worth Ia
han their, weight n gold.
O no only two white kauga,
Il ~ :