Shoshone journal., 1923-07-13
ASHES OF ROSES
BY KITTY PARSONS
~ = - = . = = = . = = . q
t>s 4sz1. oy AcCl1rs Ssxsp<per eyndioats.J


been 50 still before. She lay On
ner couch with closed eyes, trying to
think Joy was not used to reclining,
but the doctor had insited upon it
her ultimate recovery would be a ques-
tion Of long. tedious months Of lying
on her back.
Ihere was knock at the door and
Malcolm came IN. Joy had been wait
Ing for him all day, literally counting
the minutes till he came
I've just heard Of your accident, Joy.
It's crime. VIII you be here lcngY
FOR months, the doctor says"
How dreadful What shall I do
without you after all these weeks Of
playing around togetherf No more
dancing or dining or walking with you
MS sprlng-it makes me sick -
JOY thought Of the last three Won
derful months and a chill struck her
heart. How happy they had been,
dancing laughing, joking They had
always been merry and gay-never
serious for moment. Malcolm hated
to be serious when ne could be amused.
Life had been one glad song to them
both.
But 1t isn't over" she almost plead
ed You'll come to see me end talk
tc me often, won't your"
"Of course he assured her. "But
1t won't be the same" Joy thought he
looked III at ease in a sick-room, not
at all Ike himself. Somehow Malcolm
seemed TO belong to life and health
and happiness; trouble and suffering
had little place in his life. But OF
course he was a genius.
do you remember, a week ago to-
night, how we rode down town on TOP
of the bus, with the snow falling all
over Us? And how we explored the
queer little streets and alleysl What
fun We had!"
'And the hot dogsr'
"Oh, yes, the hot dogs And the cof-
fee"
"And the dance hall-don't forget
thar. How they almost put US out be-
cause 1 held you too close"
''Yes, yes, I remember" Joy caught
her breath sharply. She knew nothing
could make her forget that night-or
any other night when she had been
with him. She longed to tell him so
but she couldn't.
4 few minutes later Malcolm plead
ed a business engagement and hurried
away. That was Wednesday. He prom
ised TO return on Friday. After he had
gone Joy thought Of all the things he
had not said.
Thursday about the same time there
was another knock on the door and
Joy was thrilled with expectancy. He
could not wait, But It was David and
not Malcolm who opened the door.
David dropped on his knees beside
her couch and took her hand in his
Poor little joy" his voice caressed
her. How hard # must be for you TO
lie here so quietly day after day, when
you are always so full Of life and glad
ness. I can't bear 10 think OF IT,"
David's only thought was for her,
but Joy hardly heard him. She was
longing for Friday to come. David
hurried on:
Marry me now and I'll take care of
YOU always. I'll cancel my passage
Saturday for China and get work here
Il you want me 70 do lifts not too
late if you need me-"
Joy wanted the comfort Of his pro
.ecting arms. but she knew she could
not rest there. The laughing face Of
Malcolm stood between them. So she
sent David away.
Friday her heart sang with happi-
less as she waited for Malcolm. She
lrranged her hair In most becoming
ashton and wore her most bewitching
legligee. And she burned incense IN
he tall vase on the mantel- Her III
less and enforced idleness no longer
nattered-nothing in the world mat
cred except that It was spring and
Malcolm would soon be there ! Over
md over her heart sang the same joy
'us song.
AT 5 the maid brought her large
OK of roses. with line scribbled on
he card: $50 s0rry-unexpectedly de-
aged. VIII phone NJ. 81 Outside the
7indow a robin sang and sang and I
ang. and icy wondered how anyone I
ould be so cheerful. She had quite /
rrgotten that II was spring.
Saturday she thrilled anew at the 4
bought Of his coming. David's tender
ess was long since forgotten-DRvid /
-asn't a poet. SO. Of course, he was
lfferent. All day long she waited. her
ar attuned. sensitive 70 every ring OF
he bell. Once q delivery boy came and
gain the letter carrier. but there was
C word from Malcolm.
when Joy had almost given up hope
e maid brought her his telegram. For
me moments she held Il % her hand, I
,ar clutch.ng AZ her heart he must
: m, perhaps dging Certainly some
lins terrible had happened % hlm. AZ
81 she gathered strength % tear it
pen. There were only q few ~ofds,
tarlng shagny % her ln me cold +
ear type ~ fhe telegraph company