The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-12-20

the way they branded those the police couio
not reach. l thought she broke my heart
then, but you have given as hard wound
as even she could wish"
In the morning as Austen May took his hat
to go out for the day, note futtered to the
ground His cheerful face was pale and
serious as he opened II.
"DR. May would offer an apology !
am unused to New York ways. Indeed ]
am, as Peru with Chilli, so used to battle
that kindness seems to me first as an am
bush. KosiTA NUrEz'
Rosita 1t was strange he had never
thought TO ask her given name. He might
have guessed it, He remembered how fond
| she was of humming, Mira flores! Mira
flores! See the flowers! See the fowers!"
and how pathetic he had thought 1t when
she would stop herself and summon look
of grave maturity to her face. His heart
ached for her, and little for himself Her
Loneliness made her so unapproachable
Her note was prescription for his heart
closely buttoned up upon it, but the writer
withdrew from his horizon. Time his meals,
his ingongs or outgoings when he would
il never proved her time.
The DAYS passed. and 1t was the night be-
fore Christmas when he again met her He
had been thinking of her all day, feeling II
cold and dreary for her; wondering If that
detestable bluing had become sufficiently
popular to warrant her presence among the
Christmas shoppers. Something, he could
not tell what unless il was remembrance
of the offering of Tom Brown at Oxford to
his lady-love, led him to invest in bunch
of heliotrope He neared home with it, in
haling its fragrance through the paper
wrapping He turned corner quickly, his
ewes upon his bundle, when he ran against
Rosita Nunez, who slipped upon the icy
walk and escaped falling by quick grasp
at an iron railing. A cry of pain escaped
her. An iron spike had entered the palm OF
her hand Austen May took the wounded
hand in his, though she would have hindered
him. and drew out his handkerchief to bind
it. 1t needed an application of snow first'
and strip or two of plaster from his pocket,
but even that preparation seemed longer
than might be.
How could you" he said in angry tones,
though his touch was tender, and he knew
he spoke of necessary evil, be so fool
hardy as to suppose you could get along
such night without understand un-
gloved, too ?"
Nv ELL" she said, with an embarrassed
laugh. II would have been prepared for
an ordinary steam-engine, for that always
whistles" :.
He looked up at her under his eyebrows
for moment. The wind was blowing her
hair about her forehead and color in her
cheeks, giving her the prettiness that pow
erty's repression had stolen from her youth
and grace She went on nervously:
] But will not your bundle blow awayl
1t seems to me to have the fragrance of
heliotrope; and, do you know, that always
takes me back to Callao. That is our port
and have sat in yacht there and had my
lap filled with heiotrope. 1t grows wild on
the mountains. and you can beg it from the
women who bring their flowers for the affairs
of Saint Rose of Lima"
"Saint Rose of Lima pitied the sorrows
of the poor, if she was rich herself, did she
not ,"
"Why, yes
"If she had been poor, her own loneli-
ness would have made her quite blind to any
one else's. wouldn't it 2"
'Dr. May, your handkerchief is a very
bad color must recommend my bluing;
or perhaps l can have it iaundered properly
for you, to show my gratitude"
Her voice shook, and she stepped quickly
back as he released her hand.
THANK YOU" he said, coolly. Don't
hurry about it, and, picking up his bundle,
left her.
She summoned up her courage to go early
to the evening table, as she had felt obliged
to return to the house. At her place lay a
magnificent bunch of heliotrope. She was
sh, picked up the flowers, laid them across
the table at Austen Mays place, and fed
A few moments more and she was ashamed
The noise of voices came loudly from the
room. and she thought to slip in by an I'M
frequented lobby AS she entered one Of
its doors DR.. May entered the other with the
heliotrope in his hand. She turned, but the
door had closed behind her with catch she
could not move. DR.. May. appearing not to
see her, leaned against the other door.
= Voices came clearly through transom
above
Of MAY has been reminded of the pro-
N prieties, fancy. Probably by the inam-
Y. orata herself"
+ Doubtless. Pity If there should be a
misunderstanding. It's my opinion she
ut knows more about flirting than he, if she
ID suspects him of it When May gets heart
wound he's the kind to keep it. you NAV be
III sure"
,g "Oh, yes; these blond, gay fellows al
ways do. Nobody knows the trouble I've
>" seen Pass the provisions, will you, you
ly black-haired Lothario. Mays the lone
u soonest orphan | know, but who'd believe
or it2"
Rosita's face was crimson with shame and
in confusion. She touched the doctor S arm.
lie "Won you manage the knob for me 2"
n. she cried under her breath
he She turned on the sill and pointed to the
ed flowers in his hand.
d, will you give me back few of those"
We she said " for Christmas2"
sy DO you know that would mean now
that you must give me up your Bottoms
ed bluing1" he said, looking down at her
d. gravely.
You are very, very rude" she cried,
ce speeding away from him.
A while after, as he sat alone at the din
d, ing table. she appeared before him
do . can spare you half the sample box Of
We bluing," she said "You must wait for the
=" rest"
Il He started to his feet.
ru "You cannot expect me to take II across
le the table" he cried THAT is too much
lie like an ambush, you know"
en- 4 will wait for you till you come round
&C. the table, she said, courageously. but an