River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-11-05
A TANGLE
OF ROSES
BY LOUISE j. STRONG

NNH loneliness! See mamma, from
Judge Linford" Cora danced into
the room with great bunch of roses.
The lady she addressed looked up with
something of restraint in her manner,
nodded, and returned to her book.
"Have one?" the girl offered.
mo, thanks. l wouldn't rob you"
she replied, coldly.
why, / couldn't miss one from so
many, mammal" Cora selected glow
ing beauty, kissed it, laid it on NAM
mas lap, and danced away.
Mamma, otherwise Mrs. Cora Carew,
tossed the rose out of the window, quot
ing, CONTEMPORARY: There's no fool
like an old fool"
When Judge Linford presently fol-
lowed mis- floral offering, Cora detached
herself from the group on the veranda,
and met him with profuse thanks and
expressions of delight, adding, as she
Dictated the discarded rose below: That
was mamma! Don't think | would do
such a thing Bring it up, please"
The perplexity on his face was swept
away by wave of anger, and he plant
ed foot on the offending blossom, un-
needing Cora's shrek of remonstrance.
'All rejected things should be
crushed" he declared.
Rejected suitors, too?" laughed the
girl.
80, they're supposed to be crushed, as
a matter of course" he responded, with
a quick glance at mamma within. Then
with stately courtesy he added:
Miss Carew, will you grant me a
favor, and kindly allow me to show you
the prettiest drive in the country? My
blooded bays are fleet and eager"
And, blushing with gratified vanity,
for Judge Linford was person of
wealth and distinction, Cora graciously
complied.
Father, do you think it safe for you
to take out the bays?" young Ralph de-
manded, somewhat superciliously.
''Why, | would hardly drive them my
self"
"And I would not allow you to attempt
it, youngster. 1t requires man to
handle them" his father retorted.
Mrs. Carew leaned out, joining in the
laughter at this passage of arms, then
said: 81 trust you to return her safely,
Judge Linford."
To which he responded with a stiff
bow, and look of naughty resentment.
When they had departed Ralph ca
ioled mamma out for stroll, that he
might give vent to his disgust at this
open wooing of blithesome May by
hoary December. And she sympathetic
ally condoled; and sllillfully appealed
to his masculine superiority in the mat
ter of golf, until he was greatly COM
forted and proposed to perfect her in the
game
Therefore, when Miss Cora was
whirled up the driveway in pride and
triumphant state, there was no crowd of
envious spectators, nor moody young
lover awaiting her. Everybody was at
the links watching hotly contested
game, in which mamma and Ralph fig
ured conspicuously as devoted partners.
From being an occasional player, Mrs.
Carew developed an enthusiasm for
golf. and under Ralph's tutelage she
speedily became an expert second to none
but her teacher, and they chung to-
gether like burrs, scoring many vic
tory.
Also, Mrs. Carew developed what Cora
called ga shameless tendency to flirt, >
but which was only genially expressed
sympathy, very soothing to the injured
feelings of the moths who singed them
selves in the various flames of beauty
and flew to her for comfort. Thus she
was seldom without what appeared to
be a train of admirers, but was really q
company of signing SWANS.
Its perfectly ridiculous; and she
with one foot in the gravel" Cora ex-
claimed one evening to Ralph, who had
paused beside her.
THAT continual tremor does make