Smyrna times., 1902-02-12
Observation-Disclosures
PINK | |
ROSES 06 |
...BY MARY WOOD
Copyright, 1901, by Mary Wood.
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...BY MARY WOOD
Copyright, 1901, by Nary Wood.

April in Venice. The Italian sky
smiled down on the ripping waters of
the lagoon, but Marian Dane was blind
to 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 a slender
slip of Il girl and graduated from the
Young Ladies' seminary, it was only
the frantic clasp of her fingers on n
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
cOnfidences-Only low hedge. They
were in that delicious stage when
secrecy seemed to add a new tie Of
love-a tie that shut out the rest of the
world. So she wore the ring on a rib
bon round Ter 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 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 to her aid.
Her cheeks famed as righteous indig-
nation grew. She planned it all out
Jack was too impetuous and must
have a lesson, and she was quite firm
enough TO administer it. 1t was q
very proud little figure that started
for the house, defantly 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,
gathering them up carefully as she
whispered, 1T was not your fault,
poor dearsW
Slowly the days passed by. If Jack
were having a lesson, he was learning
it 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
called up all her pride and tried to
follow his example. 1t was too hard
a task when he was so near.
She grew restless. She would 60
| abroad and leave even his memory far
behind. Mr.. Dane did not suspect what
was the matter with his motherless
o girl, but if she wanted a trip to Eu
rope she should have it. Jack mus
have known about the plan, but he
made no sign. They sailed from New
y York. Among the gifts sent to the
steamer were no pink roses and NJ
b card from Jack.
e Now the splash of oars could no
e rouse her from her bitter reverie, bu
}. as they turned a corner a breath o.
q the old fragrance brought a stab O
pain to her heart. They f1oated clos,
: to a tiny garden set like an emerald
Ii between the dark buildings. and owe
its low wall hung a blooming spray
II AT sight of the roses came renewed
n longing for home, She would figh
al against it TO longer. She went bacl
N to the hotel filled with peace
A letter was waiting for her. AS sh
opened it, leisurely, she wondered wha
had moved Leslie Prince to write t
her. Leslie had been one of the belle
of the home set, but she and Maria
= had never been particularly chummy.
The letter began effusively Oesli
= was always effusive):
! My Dearest Marian-I have surprise for you
W am engaged And you can't guess to whom
id Jack.
al The sheet almost fell from Marian
n trembling hand, but she forced herse
i. to read on:
= 1t is all very sudden. / had no idea that
Vi cared for me, but he does-awfully-and insists
of being married in June. Now, | want you for
-, bridesmaid. Do promise that you will come hon
" in time. You won't have to bother much abo-
OF the dress. It will be pink and white weddin
of just white null with pink
ho There was more, but she could rea
no further 'To Jackv' that is VIII;
- her brain kept repeating. So soon
:" marry another so soon. And the
Up wanted her to be a bridesmaid-it W;
lie too cruel-at his wedding-never 81
ng would stay abroad always. But as 81
mt thought it over, through long hours
I'M the day and of the night, she four
nd herself feverishly eager to go. Deep
80 her heart there was a longing to s.
him onpp apain hpforp ha was ool