Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-08-06
CHRISANTHE
>tCopyright, 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Col
By LAURA L. HINKLEY

y SAW her first at the flower show
II ChrysanthemumS were everywhere
1s1rreaked and pied and spattered. yell
-dfSs~ and bronze and purple and white
alSSDd red, prim and stately, and flaunt-
atZg tousled. alluring mons.rosities I
watched her from behind a towering
array of blossoms. white but for red
'=Srreak down every petal.
she was style incarnate in every
'zEarve, with a great fluffy chrysanthe-
r-nnm at her breast. In spite of her
-1sim, sprite-lite girlishness was
aware of something in her passionate
luxurious, unbounded. a sort of in
1Asnse sympathy with the bouncing riot
III the chrysanthemums.
/ Presently she came toward me with
IA light in her eyes and hands out
SEtretclsed.
" 1--WE should know each other. mon
sEieur. l am Mademoiselle Chrysanthe.
Wont you come to see me?" She gave
me her address. not repeating or try
Gtng TO impress it on my memory, but
las If assured that would remember.
My day is Thursday" And she left
1,ne with light nod, passing quickly
From the room.
stood astounded. l was tolerably
familiar with the methods of adven-
t-uresses, but this person betrayed OBJ
vyious wealth and breeding. Was she
some one 1 ought TO remember.
Knew she was not yet her face had for
me some dim, haunting reminder. Had
-zShe mistaken me for an acquaintance
why then her absurd nickname and
strange speech? "A clever adventur-
$685." reason told me. Yet | went on
GEhe appointed day to her house.
1t was on one of the quieter, but in
densely respectable and decidedly
smart streets. An imposing butler ad-
emitted me. looked to see him change
osountenance when | asked for Made
xnoiselle Chrysanthe, but he bowed i'm
Eoassively and ushered me into splen-
aid and lavish drawing-room. Jardi-
aiieres OF chrysanthemums stood about
1and long mirror at one side repeated
Eheir bizarre Injuries of form and
rint
My hostess glided in. Her yellow
zouse dress. adroiS garnished with
E-uffles and fiuttering ribbon ends, sim
ualated a prim, demurely wild chrysan-
SIhemum.
Il knew you would come" she said
giving me her hand, You will want
90 see the conservatory. Not at home
Names! Come, monsieur"
The conservatory was immense and
almost entirely devoted to chrysan-
y&hemums. She fitted about among
chem, bending her dainty head, witt
Cts black Japanese coils stuck through
with long, twisted. amber pins.
Her fascination took violent hold or
tnie her weird. exotic mingling of ex-
@ravagant and exquisite But she
would tell me nothing of her identity
p NOR would she let me reveal my own
mo, no. monsieur. This and this
0ouching two splendid blooms, "neeG
gao names. Nor do we"
AS neared the door at last to take
cave, half-suffocated with her witch.
zeries-''I love you!' said, abruptly.
She listened. silent. smiling, un.
moved. l caught her roughly about the
waist.
Stop! Stop, l will call Jamesl"
Il will come tomorrow" | said
and left her
On the morrow | found her in the
Lavish drawing-room She had giver
fChe place an accent of royal, graciou.
welcome by massing everywhere chry
santhemums of every tone and hue o.
purple. She herself was gowned il
@sumptuous purple velvet. ADORNED will
Salls of priceless lace, a more mature
ample and majestic presence than
mad dreamed she could be- I was per
United TO stay long and talk on ever,