The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-25

-a- ~@A-AA"- L-NAANA aAN MS .4I lI| NIUMM~
tache and Ills eyes were troubled. Peo-
pie talked Of it. did they? What did
they say
II only the horrid thing would 30
and get married and leave those two in
peace"
Married. Old Mrs. Kennedy
MY dear. she would be only too de-
lighted You can see in it the twinkle
Of her eye. And it would be a mercy"
Hum" and the colonel was
thinking herd. There was one way
out Of IT, The lines grew deeper across
his brow. Those parasols were nut
tering with many other parasols and
the talk was Of other matters. The
colonel was driving home and think
ing. Light words lightly spoken are
not always lightly heard
The sun went down. A faint mist
rose over the soft place in The moors
and the daisies we're all asleep. AS to
the horse. he was going as he liked
and he stopped at the stable gate. The
colonel walked up to the house he had
lived In for many years. The flowers
the gardener sowed grew in the borders
stiltly; but a rose tree that had been
planted long ago had grown All over
the wide front wall. unclipped. Untitled
lit had been planted by Rosebuds
mother.
There was a dog IN the lobby It
vas an old campaigner like its master.
in its own line, and had probably had
a great deal to do with the getting Of
the many trophies that hung on the
walls eGrinning dead things as
Rose had called them: but she had been
early familiar with them. and did not
scream at wolves heads and tigers
jaws.
The look Of the house was shabby.
The rugs were worn, and the papers
faded. It had the air Of mans house,
very comfortable to man, but a blot IN
the eyes Of a woman.
Hum. said the colonel, stopping at
the stair-foot and looking round The
dog shifted at his heels and followed.
There was one room upstairs that
was unlike ell others The colonel
turned the door handle softly, as If he
We're on the threshold Of some holy
place; as if the faint. faded scent Of
roses was net TO be lightly breathed.
There was a strange silence in there
a silence that did not seem like the
mere quiet Of an empty room.
Marguerite" said the colonel.
He was speaking to somebody who
could give no answer but his voice was
anxious.
Marguerite, you viii not be angry?
II is for our little one. our only girl
For her sake alone, my dearest"
Then he turned and came out again
His face was darkened with resolu-
tion, and a decision that had been
hard
Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter-in-
law sat at the window. Rosebud was
gazing across to the bank, with her
hands clasped idle in her lap. The
drocp In her mouth was very plain.
Mrs. Kennedy. FOR her part, was glanc-
ing up and down the street, observing
her acquaintance, the shops they went
into. and the clothes they had on Her
sharp eyes travelled up and down, and
her tongue was busy.
There is that LOrrimer girl. Shock
ing stylel Do You see her hat? / won
der how you can make a friend Of
such a person. I really wonder. Rose
Oh, she is speaking to DR..
Smith. He has plenty Of time to talk
in the street. you see. cannot under
stand your preferring him. l have al
ways had DR.. Nivlson"-
yes" wearily, from Rose.
"Ah. now. do you notice how badly
Miss Hallam walks? And you admire
her? ! can't agree with your taste.
Look how awkwardly she crosses the
sireet-she is stsnding on one leg out
side Baileysl There arc the Merri-
mans. your friends. Positively Oh,
who Is that odd person with bouquet?
Good gracious, can it be your papa?"
Rose looked up the street Yes. It
was the colonel. marching stoutly
along, with a great bunch Of flowers.
How funnyl But my dear, pray
don't rush down stairs like that. The
servants '-
She only spoke TO the tail Of Roses
gown, for the girl was flying d0wn to
pull back the latch herself
"Oh. the fowersl How dear and
sweet of you, she cried The colonel
laughed in an embarrassed manner,
but kept hold Of his bouquet until they
had come unstairs.
"They are for AIRS. Kennedy, II she
cares to accept them" he said solemn
ly.
Rosebud gasped.
''You are quite gallant, colonel" said |
the rother-in-law. smiling at the bou-
quet There was a sudden sprightli-
ness in her tone, and her look was
arch. Rose thought she had grown
younger.
"Was it a joke. papag' she said half /
reproachfully. while Mrs. Kennedy re-
tired to put the bouquet in water But /
the colonel shook his grizzled head.
"a joker Ny dear child, why should |
von think sog' he answered stOutly.