The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-09
A BUNCH OF ROSES.


ticularly fortunate in having them, as they
were country bred roses, grown properly
in the open air, and the last Of the season.
He had heard the young woman bemoan
the fact that she never saw any roses ex-
cept those raised in hothouses; that she
did not consider art superior to nature and
should never forget the dear roses that
grew In the country, In the garden Of their
old home. They were filed with tender
associations
Therefore Lawrence Hunter was full Of
a happy importance as he presented her
with the roses he had pIucked himself from
the bushes in q friends garden that same
day:
grant, he said as she took the great bunch
of bloom in her fine, slim hands and look
ed at them with such loving appreciation
that the young mans pulse went up to
fever heat.
She was dressed as became q rosa queen
in snowy white-and her golden hair
was bound with fillet Of blue, which col
or enhanced the fairness of hsr complex
ion, rs she probably meant tt should, in
the artlessness of art. And az she held her
lovely face, with its delicate rose color,
above the roses the young man strength
ened his resolve to propose that
But there is an old adage about man pro-
posing. The queenly Alma knew that she
could not continue to hold the roses with
out WEAKNESS. Even flowers become bur-
densome under certain conditions and she
placed them tenderly in q china vase, and
when they were arranged to suit her fas-
tidious taste fingered to drink An their
subtle beauty.
"They bring up the sweetest associa-
tions of happy past, - she said romantic
ally. "DETAILS of pink and hearts of gold,
how I love youl I revel in your adorable
sweetnessF'
And she buried her face In the mass Of
roses, the better to inhale their odor, end
then Lawrence, who felt the insanity Of
jealousy stealing over him, noticed that
her slender form was shaken with sobs,
and he sprung to her assistance. But she
gave wild shrek and escaped from the
room, leaving the astonished lover gazing
into space.
He heard cries and exolamatieras, the
hurry of flying feet, doors slammIng and
silence. He waited, but no one came
and he went home with a profound convIc-
ton that he had just escaped making q
fool of himself; that Alma Bentley was q
woman with past; that he would call on
her or cultivate her society no longer.
And he laid awake all night thanking his
stars that he was not her accepted husband.
The next day he watched anxioualy for
some word-e note, any explanntion-but
none came He wandered that way in the
evening, and finding the house dark and
closed was so piqued and furious that he
rung the bell and inquired If the young
woman was at home.
Eyes" the domestic said, "but not able
to see any one-quite i'll, under the doc
tors care.'
'The plot thickens," said the young
man to himself as he turned away, more
in love than ever and determined to
probe the mystery to its depths. Suppose
she had past. So had he, and he laugh
ed grimly as he thought Of some pages Of
his life that he would have been glad to
| tear out and burn. Poor little grill Some
foolish romance of her early teens that had
roses in it-and O 1over What then? How
many love affairs of his own had left mem
cries and associationsP Only he was
man and could forget. Well, he would
teach her to forget If she would give him
| her confidence-and love.
He waited meekly but expectantly q
week, two weeks, and when a third had
nearly passed met Alma face to face. Both
| were riding, but she threw him q sweet
/ smile and a bow as they passed, and he
thought he had never seen her looking SO
well, not excepting that fatal evening Of
| the roses.
After a decerous time he called and was
! as nervous as a woman as he waited to
hear the rustic of her silken skirts and
learn from her lips tho mystery Of the Incl
| dent of the roses.
There was no hint of illness or pallor,
| but just q slight shade Of anxiety on her
face as she cordially welcomed the young
| man.
"You must have thought me out Of my
Senses" she said as soon as they were seat
ed, 'when I rushed out Of the room that
night, but could not help it, lost all
my self control and cried like a child.
Mamma said I was very silly"
''Were you SO much Overcomer asked
Lawrence kindly.
"OvercomeP was blind, frantic with
pain"
ST have HEARD said the young man,
"of people to whom the Odor of certain
flowers was painful on account Of mem
cries If had only known that nay un-
fortunate roses had the power TO. EouEs
slumbering recollections of happier days,
rather than revive such memories would
have left them to wither on their stems"
''MemoriesS' repeated Alma vaguely.
"What had they to do with met DONE
understand you, Mr.. Hunter"
twas it not an overpowering rush Of as
sociations connected with the roses that
brought on your attack of illnessP''
Alma stared momen6, then laughed
merrily.
''No, indeed. It was the ovorpowerlnR
rush of a bee concealed in one of the roses,
and it stung my poor lip 50 that was a
fright for weeks and suffered from the poi
son too"
"And 1t wasn't memoryS'' Lawrence'G
tone was jubilant.
'No, but it is now, and very disagree.
able one. I am pledged hereafter to arti-
fetal roses''
"Let me have the lifelong position Of
poison faster to my queen" suggested
Lawrence CALAMITY, and his queen, being
in the mood, accepted him for the position.
-Detroit Free Press.
Discouraged
'sWho is that sour looking man who Il
always sitting on that box doing nothing2