Page:Frank Owen - The Wind That Tramps the World (1929).djvu/34

 gazed down upon the face but it was no longer old and lined with age. It was the face of a youth. There was a bit of warm red color in the cheeks and the lips were smiling. Steppling gazed slowly toward the jade vase. The withered branch was withered no longer. Life had come to it again for on the branch was a flower of the soft warm color of a tea rose but unlike any flower he had ever known before. The fragrant cool petals were as velvet soft as the cheek of any maiden. Again John Steppling turned to Hi Ling and he was not surprised that even in death he looked young. For youth had come to him in the return of 'Dawn-Girl.' Old age at best is mainly a matter of attitude.

An hour later John Steppling left the long ambling old house. But before he went he again lighted the moon-lantern and placed the lovely flower on the breast of Hi Ling. Even as he left he heard the sound of singing and the notes were joyous and wonderfully sweet.