The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-12-22
Rose
Chains
BY lola L. FORESTER

0s-s~s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s
1t was late when Rosemary arrived.
The other guests were rising and din
ner had been announced. She had
barely time to toss aside her furs ana
exchange a few hurried words with
Mrs. Creighton.
There was one thing certain, she de-
cided, after glance at Helen and the
rest. They had not heard yet, and she
was glad of an hours respite. After
the scene with Dean last night, follow
ed by the solemn one in the morning
with her mother, and finally the re-
prOaches and condolences of four
younger sisters, each with her indi-
vidual opinion on the fitness of the
engagement, it was relief to breathe
freely without fear Of conversational
dissection of her case.
''Who is to take me in?" she asked
ut the foot of the stairs. but Helen was
already bowling and smiling to another
guest as Sne answered.:
You're always late, dear, aren't
you? No excuse, though please. Don't
you see the senator looking helpless
| and alone over there? He's to take me
in and thinks I'm lost"
But Rosemary stopped short
and went upstairs to the dressing room
| with a little sudden heartache. For Il
| whole month one only had had the
right and privilege Of claiming her. aud
now she was free again. She hoped
Helen would not give her to any one
brilliant and strenuous tonight, who
would bother her by trying to make
/ an impression. She didn't want to be
impressed. In a measure she blamed
impressiOnism for her engagement to
Dean. He was royal comrade, clever
and responsive, but not too clever or
too responsive. There was difference.
Looking back on the joyous days Of the
month, she decided that it had been this
element of chumshp, Of mindful affini-
ty, which had been responsible for the
whole thing
As comrade Dean was splendid, but
as lover in the role of prospective
husband to be welded to for life she
had suddenly discovered that he was
exacting-most eXacting.
Any man who was engaged to girl
and positively forbade any other man
falling in love with her was exacting.
Moreover, it was foolish. because, real
| S1,o ol>e of limo
to his own good taste.
She could not help Jack StOwell tell
ing her that he loved her. OF course
he loved her He had told her so OH an
average of twice month for over O
year. And he was a dear, dear boy.
She smiled contentedly at the mir
rored image of herself in the dressing
room as she paused to tuck in few
refractory Lairpins. Who could help
loving her? Even Dean had called
her the dearest girl in the world. II
was sweet to remember that. OF course
he. had behaved intolerably about Jack
but when a man is in love-
She laughed softly and buried he,
lips caressingly in the heart of
single long stemmed La France rost
that lay lightly OH her breast.
The last trailing gown was vanish
ing beyond the heavy velvet portieres
of the dining room as she came dowr
stairs. Only one lore figure awaited
her coming in the wide hall. and slit
wondered who it could be. Not Jack
Mrs. Creighton did not approve o
Jack. In fact, she had once callc(
him a cub. Mild. but irritating-tt
Jack. The figure turned suddenly a
the sound of her coming 1t was Dear
himself. Half unconsciously size hes
! itated, her head lifted a trif1e hishe
than usual, her lashes dropping OBJ
stinately over telltale eyes.
. He was terribly grave and dignifled
81 am to have the pleasure CT tax
ing you in. Mrs. Creighton said. Sh
: evidently does not know
ST had no idea that you would b
here" She spoke Indignantly. 1t wa
almost impertinent of hiEl. when on
last night she had told him size neye
wished to even look at him again.
81 could hardly help myself. afte
accepting the invitation week age
We will probably meet in the sam
- places for some time. until the breaE
! ing of the engagement is announced
d At present people consider us indis
pensable to each others happiness.
q His quiet, courteous sarcasm wa
q maddening under the circumstance
She resolved not to even speak to hll
: again. Old Mr.. RatLburn sat at he
other hand, and she devoted herself
him with earnest fervor. lie was il
terested in a plan for the irrigation
the great American desert by means
huge spinning hose nozzies to be o.
Grated from balloons.
. "But you'll have to get the water U
there before you can get ii down.. o
}, jected Rosemary anxiously for the Sc
enth time. She knew that Dean W;
/: smiling amusedly. "Unless you attae
It to the clouds"
II Mr.. Rathburn was silent. and 81
: felt withered By q sense Of his di