Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-12-31

49, 49,, --..'.-..,...,4Ll l.'.'-,A..A'.,a
4 A DAY OF ROSES. |
|: BY RICHARD PRYCE


long ago, and that lac had almost for
gotten. The roses were everywhere in
the drawing-room he had just entered.
They stood in jars ON the mantelpiece.
Flat bowls held them ON tables. and
singly in slender vases they were TO
he seen here and there amongst the
china and the odds and ends of silver
and enamel, and delft anal marble that
filled the dainty room.
Audrey had loved roses. There was
beech trees. where AYlmer had spent
many an hour, that seemed Of a sudden
passing happy nOw-one day, which he
and she had called the Day of Roses.
He had only 10 shut his eyes-indeed
had not 10 shut them--to see again the
fower-strewn room. II was Audrey's
birthday, and he had brought her roses.
They were in the hamper first. in which
they had been packed. All Audrey's
little cry of delight as She raised the
lid and saw them living soft amongst
their damp leaves. Then they were on
trays, two big trG IS that Yet would not
hold them. and they ovcriiuwcd on TO
the table. where, with their fol.a"e.
they lay, a ltttle OF crimson and yell
/ low and green, over which. with careSs-
inc touch, leaned Audrey. the sweetest
flower of all. He could see her gather
up a handful and bury her face amid
the petals that were scarcely more del
icate than herself. Then there was the
seeking of things in which 10 PIT them.
Every suitable vase and jar and pot
the cottage contained was filled and
there were still roses. He had been
reminded vaguely Of the woman Of the
sons of the prophets without calling
her all that.) and the miraculous pot
Of oil. For, as with her, at came 10
/ pass when the vessels were full that
she said. Bring me yet yes
sci" And there was no vessel found
Four roses remained over. One OF them
he must wear. He chose the smallest.
al opening bud. The other three. Au-
drey. kissing them first, put into the
girdle at her waist
That was the Day Of Roses. and Avl-
mer, back from his two years travels.
had forgotten it, till a chance scent re-
called it and the idyll that had been
an incident among Incidents in some
what thoughtless life.
But he was dreaming, and here was
Diana. She came i'm with an apology
and rustic Of silk. She was grieved 70
have kept him waiting. She put up her
face TO be kissed. The first time Of his
dining with her. and not to be there to
receive him! But il was ineNcusable-
ineXcuSable. She had had an afternoon
of deays-iust that; delays every
where. First the tiresome lawyer peo-
pie, and then the trustees. and at the
last moment young woman from An
toinette's about her rousseau. What
business marriage was! And the fact
of having been through ii before did
not ease matters at all.
Complicated them, Aylmer suggested.
Complicated them, she agreed
I'm giving You lot of trouble, I'm
afraid" she said, smiling.
There was TO be no sentiment in this
marriage. Diana had gold and green
forests" Aylmer had spent his gold,
and the potential cutting of certain tim
berat Aylmer'S Keep had brought about
the engagement. Lady Aylmer had per
hapS a hand In the matter when she
asked the comely widow of Fonten-
brink Grantou, Of Broad street 10 the
Keep to meet her son.
All that wiz have to go" she said
one day to Mrs Granton, ard waved her
hand towards wood ON the hin.
/ Mrs. Granton raised her eyebrows.
\ day or two later. driving through
the wood i'm question, Mrs Grautou OBJ
served couple Of men with notebooks
and pencils. who Salutcd lhc AylWer
carriage as il passed. and She observes
Aylmer's face. too. as he returned their
salute with wave of his whip.
Lady Aylmercaught tpcrhap> sought
her eye, and sighed.
That evening Mrs. Grautou was the
FIRST To come Govu from dressing. and
SHE strolcd ont ON 'hc tcrrocc. The SUM-
setting behind her. shouc upon tire
doomed woods. Gold stepped them.
The ,horn hin would be au ete-sorc.
She heard a step ON The gravel. au.l
eaV Ayimcr approaching from the
house.
"rhe prettiest view .n England" She
said
iIt fallt ana ~tbit .'t' utI' htlI
the eyes OF each were ou theWoOds.
~ ann told you are going 90 spoil it,
She said then.
"Tur tituc."
~ lifetime"
Ire nodded. The lady's gaze assembled
tine. hin to the top. where the trees stood
up against the sky.
1T seems "a pity she said.
The gong sounded presently. and they
went ip. You could see tbc shining hin
from the windows Of the diniug-rcom.
Midway through dinner. as the evening
closed In. a servant went 20 draw tho
curtains. Mrs Glanton faced The win
dow.
"Oh." she said, TO Lady Aylmer.
might he wait little? 1t is so beau
tiful from where | sit
Lady AyImer turned aud looked, and
/ AyIupr looked too I'm tr.uth thp ccpte