The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-12-24

roses like these" He touched one OF
the nodding white flowers tendcrly.
Like that in your buttonhole?"
Yes. l sent them on Christmas eve
five years ago tonight. And there
was foolish note with them asking her
! if she loved me to wear them to the
Dwight's party"
land she didn't wear them?"
"She didn't even go. and l. fool that
| was, went to see why. Her aunt was to
go with hcr-I had ordered IA carriage
There were lights all about the house.
a dim one was in the parlor. l used
often to go to the French window that
opened on the veranda and save wait
ing a the hall door. That night the lace
! curtains were drawn across the win
| dow, but the blinds were open. l was
about TO push the window open when
/ saw Rose seated on "a sofa across the
room. She wore bright loose-looking
dress. and her face was pale and earnest.
Beside her" He stopped a moment
and loosened his collar. Then he went
| on: "Beside her on the sofa sat Rex
Hill-you recollect young doctor who
used to be with old DR.. Bellamy?"
Tom nodded. He had forgotten Rex
Hill, but that didn't matter.
well, he sat there talking to her and
holding her hand. and presently she
burst out crying and-and-my eyes
burned SO l couldn't see very well. but
her head went down on his breast, and
i reckon l was wild, mad. The next
/ knew was on a train that was speed
ing westward. and the Christmas sun
was rising"
Tom blew his nose; Jack covered his
stir among the bandboXes behind them,
and hand in gray cotton glove was
laid on Jacks shoulder.
"Oh, sir" squeaked n small. mouse
like voice, that was the nigh: her father
died. DR.. Bellamy was sick and he sent
for the young man. was there, spend
ing Christmas. 1t was stroke-so sud-
den and unexpected. Rosy couldn't be-
Heve-she couldn't sense it. saw her
dressed for the party in her pretty white
frock with the Christmas roses in her
hair and on her breast, and l saw her
when the news came. She was almost
crazy. She tore off the party finery.
hut she put the roses in water. and after
wards she set 'em out and they grew
them's the same roses. l put the red
wrapper on her, and the young doctor
undertook to tell her that her father'd
have to die. for 1 couldn't Though I'm
not one to shirk my duty, and I've
stood by her ever since. Rosy never
meant no harm-she never was bold.
There's not many like Rosy"
The car door opened and the porter
yelled ''Centerville." There was a stir
among the bandboxes, a flourish of the
umbrella, and the quaint little figure
f1uttered out before either of the men
could speak or move. And after she
was gone they were quite still until
presently Tom got out his cigars and
went into another car.
The sun shone bright enough Christ
mas morning when Tom and his guest
left the car for the carriage that would
take them home.
"You see, IN have to see Minnie all TO
myself, just at first, that's why she
won't be in the hall. I'll just tumble
you into the parlor for moment until
] gather my senses. Compensations,
you see. 1t isn't so bad being travel
ing man-there are so many home-com-
ings!" Tom said. holding the carriage
door open while they were speeding on.
That was how it came about that Jack
walked into the bright warm parlor to
find little blue-eyed woman with
Christmas roses in her hair sitting alone
in the rudy glow of the yule-tide fire.
Ills eyes grew bright and soft as the
little woman rose. flushing and con-
fused.
"Are you wearing the Christmas roses
for me, dear?" he asked. humbly.
"I-you don't care for them. Jack"
Indeed do. l want the sweetest of
all the roses for my own. little girl.
May have it, now?"
A mischievous sparkle frightened the
blue eyes. "How can l tell which is
sweetest?" she asked.
MAY l take my choice?"
Then Tom and Minnie came and after
them the "kids." and altogether it was a
very happy Christmas.
''The rosiest sort of a rosy time" Tom
said, pinching Rose Ellison's pink
cheek.-Ellen Frizell Wycoff. in Mime
apolis Housekeeper.
Signs of Christmaa.