Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-03-26
PINK /
ROSES W !.
...BY MARY WOOD
Copyright. 1901. by Mary wood.



forget.
1t was all the fault OF the pink roses,
she told herself. Why could they not
keep TO their own proper season OF
June? But In these lands of summer,
in Italy and southern France, even dur
ing January, their fragrance, like a
breath of poison. had deadened her IN
terest in new scenes and experiences.
And yet pink roses had once meant
happiness to Marian. They had first
come into her childish life In pleasant
dreams. When she grew into a slender
slip OF girl and graduated from the
Young Ladies' seminary, II was only
the frantic clasp Of her fingers on a
bunch OF roses that kept her voice from
faltering over the prize essay. Jack
Dawsons card was tied to the long
stems, and Jack and she were boy aud
girl lovers. 1t had come about natu-
rally. for they lived side 10y side. with
no envious wall to bar their twilight
confidences-only a low hedge. They
were in that delicious stage when
secrecy seemed to add a new tie OF
world. SO she wore the ring on a rib
bon round Ter neck end stole down to
meet her lover by the big pink rose
bush.
All, how long ago that seemed Aft
erward had come a dreadful day, the
day Of the quarrel Being their first,
they took it far too seriously. 1t was
in the old garden. whose charm for
once was broken. Jack was impetu-
Gus, she cool and reproachful Before
either of them knew what had hap
pened she had slipped the ring into his
hand. and he was out Of sight across
the hedge.
She had sat there at first too stunned
TO think. but pride came 10 her aid.
Her cheeks fiamed as righteous indig-
nation grew. She planned IL all out
Jack was too impetuous and must
have a lesson. and she was quite firm
enough TO administer IL. II was a
very proud little figure that started
for the house. defiantly pulling a bunch
Of pink roses out OF her belt and fling
Ing them into the grass. But the next
minute she was down on her knees.
gathering them up carefully rs she
whispered. 1T was not your fault
poor dearsr
Slowly the days passed by. II Jack
were having a lesson. he was learning
Il in silence. for no overtures came
from beyond the hedge. Her anger
was dead. and In It's place was the
growing fear that he would never
again come TO her. In vain she had
i
follow his example. Ii was too hard
task when he was so near.
She grew restless. She would go
abroad and leave even his memory far
behind. Mr.. Dane did not suspect what
was the matter with his motherless
girl. but IL she wanted a trip to Eu-
rope she should have Ii. Jack must
have known about the plan, but he
made no sign. They sailed from New
York. Among the gifts sent 10 the
| steamer were no pink roses and no
card from Jack.
Now the splash OF oars could not
rouse her from her bitter reverie, but
as they turned q corner a breath OF
the old fragrance brought stab OF
/ pain 10 her heart. They fioated close
| ~ llul EdIOCn SCI IKE uu
between the dark buildings. and over
Its low wall hung a blooming spray.
st sight OF the roses came renewed
longing for home. She would fight
against II no longer. She went back
TO the hotel filed with peace.
A letter was waiting for her AS she
opened 1t. lelsurely. she wondered what
had moved Leslie Prince to write L
her. Leslie had been one OF the belle.
OF the home set. but she and Marian
had never been particularly chummy.
The letter began effusively OesliC
was always effusive):
My Dearest Marian--I have surprise for you
am engaged And you can't guess to whom-tt
. Jack
The sheet almost fell from Marian's
trembling hand. but she forced herself
TO read on:
It Is AL very sudden. I had no idea that b,
cared for me- but he does-awfully-and insists OF
being married In June. Now. l want you for
bridesmaid Do promise that you will come hom
In time. You won't have TO bother much abou
the dress. Il viii be pink and white wedding
Just white null with pink roses.
There was more. but she could reat
no further. ITO Jack?' that is wha
ncl OLeAn OO SOOn-t'
marry another so soon. And the!
wanted her to be a bridesmaid-it wa
too cruel-at his wedding-never! Sh'
would stay abroad always. But as shl
thought 1t over. through long hours o
the day and OF the night. she fount
herself feverishly eager to go. Deep II
her heart there was longing to Sc
him once again before he was gOn
from her forever. but this she woul,
not admit, even to herself. She wrot
that she would accept the Invitation
with pleasure.
The wedding was to be on the ST
Of June. The Danes should have al
rived in New York on the 9th. bu
their steamer was delayed by storm
50 it was not until noon of the wed
ding day that she found herself walk
ing through the well remembered gar
den. The roses were all i'm bloom. aD'
as their fragrance met her II seeme'
that the past year must be hideou
dream. But no. II was his wedding
day. and she was to be o bridesmaid
and carry pink roses.