Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-03-01


April in Venice. The Italian sky
smiled down ON the ripping waters of
the lagoon. but Marian Dane was blind
10 Its loveliness as she leaned back
languidly in her gondola. These months
of travelling had failed to make her
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 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
Dawson's card was tied TO the long
stems, and Jack and she were boy and
girl lovers. 1t had come about natu-
rally. for they lived side by side. with
no envious wall TO bar their twilight
confldences-only n low hedge. They
were in that delicious stage when
secrecy seemed to add n new tie Of
love-a tie that shut out the rest of the
world. So she wore the ring on a rib
bon round her neck and 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 il 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 to her aid.
Her cheeks famed as righteous indig-
nation grew. She planned it all ont
Jack was too impetuous and must
have lesson. and she was quite firm
enough 10 administer II. II was a
very proud little figure that started
for the house. defiantly pulling 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.
whispered. 1T was not your fault.
poor dears"
Slowly the days passed by. If Jack
were having n lesson. he was learning
II in silence. for no overtures came
from beyond the hedge. Her anger
was dead. and in its place was the
growing fear that he would never
again come to her. In vain she had
called up all her pride and tried 10
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
girl. but if 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 to 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 corner n breath OF
the old fragrance brought stab of
pain TO her heart. They fioated close
TO tiny garden set like an emerald
between the dark buildings. and over
its low wall hung a blooming spray.
At 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 II. leisurely, she wondered what
had moved Leslie Prince TO write to
of the home set. but she and Marian
had never been particularly chummy.
The letter began effusively Qeslie
was always effusive):
Ny Dearest Msrian-I have a surprise for you
am engaged. And you can't guess to whom-to
Jack.
The sheet almost fell from Marian's
trembling hand. but she forced herself
to read on:
Il is all very sudden. had no idea tina, he
cared for me. but he does-awfully -and insists
being married in June. Now | want you for q
bridesmaid. Do promise that you will come home
in time. You won't have 10 bother much about
the dress. II will be pink and white wedding.
Just white null with pink roses.
There was more. but she could read
no further. ITO Jack" that Is what
her brain kept repeating. So soon-to
marry another SO soon. And they
wanted her to be bridesmaid-it was
too cruel-at his wedding-never. She
would stay abroad always. But as she
thought 1t over. through long hours Of
the day and of the night. she found
herself fevcrishly eager TO go. Deep in
her heart there was longing to see
him once again before he was gone
from her forever. but this she would
not admit. even to herself. She wrote
that she would accept the invitation
with pleasure.
The wedding was TO be on the Sth
of June The Danes should have ar
rived in New York on the 9th. but
their steamer was delayed by storm.
so II was not until noon of the wed
ding day that she found herself walk