The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1902-02-07

set she hau watched from lcr WlnuOW.
How the great rose-hucd cloud. had
drifted across the west-likc 20 many
ships of hope and brightness they
would have been once-now freight
ed only with reflected light.
Well. she had struggled. She had
fought a good fight against this awak-
ening trait in her character. Ii had
conquered. She was done with it now.
She would be herself. IL this was a
part of that self it must have its
growth and recognition. "To dcvel-
op to lis highest point the best of ev-
erything within us-to give each
wholesome trait its full scope that in
dividuality might be strengthened and
preservcd"-thatw as anothcro of Rob
ert's theories. All! but was ihi, a
wholesome trait: Well. she had done
with it. She was tired of thinking
Of it. She rose from the little red
velvet chair aud crossed the ROOM.
Seating herself at the piano. she let
her fingers Zip intoa waltz Of Ravens
that had always possessed an unusual
sweetness and plaintiycncss for her.
Oh-but that wa. b,autiful-that lit
tie bit! Hallway, brought to her mind
a reach Of moonlight beach-iiny
waves shimmcring in the silver light
and from over the water. some
where. that little strain.
Only a htfully pickering blaze was
left of the fire that had lighted the
room. II covered down among the
blackcning coals-then started up
again to bring into relief the furnish
ings Of the quaint. old-fashioncd par
Tor. liz light played at hide and seek
in lirst this corncr-then that. Once
Il played upon the corner containing
the table. and all its fashionable small
belongings and dclftwarc and silver.
then spicd out an ancient picrglass
that held in its old heart images Of
many bellies and beauties, n long time
dead. II joined the little scamp Of a
blaze in it, play and reflected the
slender. ycllow-haired figure at the
piano. hut at that the fire light
abashcd. sank. sputtcrcd and died and
the room wa. dark save for the feeble
glimmering of the Goals. and the cleo
trio light from thcstrcct. that forcing
lis way through the iilmy lace of the
window curtains. fell above the great
piano. II was an oil painting, a scene
in the Alps-thc work Of n renowned
artist--and a. the girls upliftcd eyes
rested upon it, she likcncd the white
from the big globe outside to moon
light playing upon the snow-clad
height, and green valley below. Her
gaze wandered and falling, rested
upon a vase Of yiolots set upon the
pianos lid. Their purple heads had
dropped in the warmth Of the room,
but the air was rcdolcnt with their
fragrance.
Niolct.. She thought she ,mcllcd
violcts. Strange she had not no.
ticcd them before. She loved yiolets,
She had come to welcome back each
winter more gladly for the sake oil
the tiny flowers than for any other
reason. she told herself. Her friend.
knew her pcnchant for thom. II wa.
a well-known fact that the "beauti.
full Miss Raymondc' would use nc
other flower. That American Beau.
ties never tempted her into appearing
with her arms full Of their gorgeous
r%osc-colored sweetness 49, that greai
shaggy chrysanthemums had ncvcl
lured her into forgetting her best
love.
She had loved them since that day
Horton Bruce had told her Of a tender
little verse he had run across. SON,
little trinc about a girl and violet.
Ii had made him think Of her whci
brought in contact with the flower
in any way. Its suited to you, sweet
q, heart-you'rc a violet girl"-hc hat
said. and then had crossed the room
and taken her face between hi. hand.
those warm hands-sO big-ycs.s 50
uncouth. but ah-so tender.
She remembered one rainy Sunda,
afternoon-OuIsidc the skies wcrt
leadcn and the wind blew gustily. III
had sent great bunch of %yiolet,. Sh,
had never seen such royal oncs-an,
the little card tucked away bctweeI
the green, glossy leaves said: $40
: my little Ray Of sunshine Hi
ray of sunshine!' Yes, she had hsel