Louisiana capitolian., 1879-12-20
RED ROSES.

1t was the afternoon of New Years
Day, 1877, and the workmen were
putting final touches to the decora-
tons in Mrs. Lancaster's beautiful
home, preparatory to u grand ball to
be given there that evening, the in
vitatlons to which were out in vast
numbers, Mrs. Lancaster, herdaughtei
Gertrude, and her orphan niece, Ethel
Grey, were taking parting survey OF
the rooms before making their toilets
for the evenings festivities. The
three were st,otlng lcisurciy through,
ud,uiring the floral decorations, which
were remarkable for their profusion
und their artistic arrangement, which
left nothing wanting nor to bc de-
sired. Everything seemed perfect
and not ore of the admiring trio ven
tured onte u suggestion to have any
thing different.
At length they were through, and
Mrs. Lancaster, with u final glance OF
approval, and drawing long breath
of intense satisfaction, turned tOleave
the rooms.
"Well, girls, am going to lie down
awhile" said Mrs. Lancaster, pausing
at the foot of the broad stairway.
"And would suggest that you both
do the same thing if you can. You
will be tired enough before you go to
bed tonight"
at would bc useless for me, mann
MAJ repliod Gertrude. III could never
go to sleep now"
"Wcll, let us lie down and rest,
even though we do not Sleep" said
Ethel, as the three mounted the stairs,
which in few short hours would be
fairly crcaking under its weight Of
human freight. Gertrude and Ethel
arriving at their room, threw them
selves upon the bed, gayiy con- jcctur-
ing the events about to transpire.
At length little by little their con-
vcrsation ceasedaltogetlIer, each, how
ever, busily engaged lit her own
thoughts, and, strange t" say, the sub
iect of their individual dieamings was
one and the same person Gra-
hame-yet neither would have ac-
knowledged to the other that he
formed any part Of their rambling,
pleasant thoughts.
Presently Ethel knew that Gertrude
was asleep from her deep, regular
breathing; so conversation ended en-
tirely.
Ethel did not sleep, and when there
was light tap at the door, she arose
quickly, and quietly opened it. 1t was
Katie, Mrs. Lancaster's maid.
"Mrs. Lancaster would like Miss
Gertrude or yourself, please, to ar
range II few flowers for her hair and
throat; she particularly requested a
few"
"AlI right, Katie f.; will do it my
self, as Miss Gertrude is asleep" and ,
closing the door gently, descended
to the lower floor.
1t was but a few moments after
Ethel had left her own room, when
Gertrude awoke, and, disliking to be
alone and in the dark, arose and has
tily rang the bell for lights, and for
Katie to come and do up her hair.
Slipping on dressing gown, she
seated herself before her mirror, wait
ing for Katie rather impatiently, and
absently drumming tattoo with her
brushes, when u loud knock at the
door aroused her; and in answer to
her summons to come in, the butler
entered, bearing a lovely bouquet Of
Marshal Neil rosebuds, with q few
deep, rich crimson ones in the centre.
"For Miss Grey" said James, Civ
ing them into the hands Of Gertrude,
bowing himself obsequionsly out of
the room.
Gertrude hastily glanced at the card, /,
upon which was the name of Edwin
Grahame, and instantly there crossed
her face a shadow, as her eyes fell on
note pressed in between the rose
buds; her brows contracted, and
rather an old expression fitted over
her countenance. She drew the en-
velope out quickly, and in moment
discovered it was unsealed. She held
it moment in her hand, then, hest
tating no longer, locked her room
doors, and opened it; and this is
what she read:
JANUARY lst, 1o7-.
My Dear Ethd:-I have this day been
offered position of trust and honor,
which will call me abroad for several
years-if accepti it. My answer must
be given tomorrow morning-aye, could
be given now, if my decision rested eu-
tirely with myself; but in your hands
do place my future, SO far. at least, a.
to bid me 60, or stay. If you bid me
stay, tits with the understanding thatyoa
become my wife. Fearing not to have
the opportunity this evening, of saying
this to you, | adopt this as the only al
tentative. Isend few fowers-crin-
son, and pale gold; i'll am to stay, wear
the crimson in your hair tonight; if l
am to 60. wear the other, and l shall &C
copt that - my farewell.
EDWIN GRAHAME.
AS Gertrude perused these lines, a
look almost of hatred grew her
flashing eyes. and settled the
curves of her mouth; and mudkering