Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-02-12
The Scent of Sweet
Alyssum
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By JOSEPHINE S. BROOKS
lcOpyriEht.l

"Alicei"
A flush mounted to both faces Of
this handsome couple, now planning
to separate-a superb pair.
The woman was speaking:
Il just mailed you note, Clyde. to
come over tomorrow evening. !
thought we'd better settle on-that Is
choose the mementoes each prefers.
You may have first choice, except"
mo, no, Alice" The mans breath
caught sharply.
you'll come, Clydef'
"Oh, yes" eagerly. =
"Tm on my way to Glenvae now,
but will be back In time" She turned
to 60.
"Alice."
"Yes-what Is IT"
'I-Alice-lf you'd only" he STAN
mered.
The wife put up a warning finger.
"Good-by. I'll see you tomorrow eve
ming"
That evening Clyde Faulkner. In his
lonely apartments, stood gazing at his
wife's photograph.
"You are beautiful, and l worship
you. But self-will, uncurbed by doting
parents. Is separating US, and for
trl6es"
He snapped Off the lights. and sat
In the moon-lighted window. But the
moon brought too vivid memories Of
courtship days. He left the apart
ment and sauntered far from the city.
Suddenly the scent of sweet alyssum
came to him. It was like torture
this reminder Of their engagement
flower.
He covered his eyes a second, and
passed on. But sweet memories grew
too strong. He retraced his steps to
the little florists shop. He bought a
huge bunch Of the sweet flowers. Quite
late he entered the apartment and
placed them In water. Then he opened
his wallet and took out u small white
package containing yellowed spray
Of sweet alyssum.
Nearly turned to ashes-like our
romance" he sighed.
The next evening, after a most pro-
longed. nervous toilet, he set out for
his wlfes apartments.
She met him with the cordial greet
ing Of a friend, nothing more.
WED better get It over with quick
ly," she advised. Here are-photo-
graphs" Her voice faltered little.
His breath came heavily as he saw
his little child's pictures.
"Clyde, mothers feel more keenly
than fathers" The man wlnced-"So
so thought I'd take the latest
one. You can get another-some time.
You may have the baby picture"
The mans face worked pitifully.
"Yes, yes. Alice. Keep the other-I-
you must not sacrifice It."
She reached out a tiny infant shoe.
"Clyde, this is for you. ! have the
mate"
Clyde. unable TO bear more, arose
hastily. 81 must 20, Alice, unless"
A warning gesture of negatiOn
stopped him. He left abruptly.
Alice Faulkner allghted from her
car and walked up the broad path to
the Orphans home. Her heart ached
for her lost little one. II she could
and one who looked like her she must
have her No one suited. She stood
there fearfully disappointed, only half
hearing the matron's order for the
maid to prepare the little girl for her
new father who was due at any time.
Soon the maid reappeared with the
beautiful child.
Alice gazed In rapture. The child
was the image Of her own little Doris.
"O-Oh, can't have her? She's SO
like my ownl must have her." she
begged
"YOu are too late. She goes with
her new father. There he Is now"
As he entered he started back as II
alarmed at the sight Of a beautiful
woman closely clasplng his newly
adopted child. The woman's tears he
saw were falling on the child's golden
hair. He heard her grooming love talk
to the baby. who patted the pity
lady's" face-the face of his wife.
The woman looked around and
looked straight into the eyes Of her
tall, handsome husband.
"Cyde-you-you are-the one
who-T
He nodded. Both were conscious Of
an impending crisis, all unmindful OF
the wondering eyes bent upon them.
The baby arms chung closed "Me
owe 'ou," she lisped.
"Clyde. I must have her. You can't
take her from me-"
The man, his eyes suspiclously moist
and tender, drew nearer. The child.
chuckling with glee, put one arm
around his neck, the other around the
wlfe's
There, you see she cllngs to me.
Clyde" what about meT he asked.
Then, In low voice, he whispered:
"Allce, you may have her"-the
woman's face gleamed-''lf-you'll
take me- too. / can't let her 90, either.
Don't you see I'm dOubly lonely
n0w7"
"Why-whyI Clyde. we can then
both have her" The light glorlfed
her face.
A little child had wrought far more
than could any lawyer
"We'll call her Alyssa, dear" An
exalted note sang through his tone.
"Alyssa frOm-from our alyssum
engagement flower? And you remem.
bered"
Right before matrOn and maid CLYDE
drew forth the faded spray Of sweet
alyssum.