The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-09-09
Rose
Chains
BY IZOLA L. FORESTER
Copyright, 1901, by 1zola L. Forester

L
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 and
exchange few hurried words with
Mrs. Creighton.
There was one thing certain, she de.
cided, after a 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
cd by the solemn one in the morning
with her mother, and finally the re-
proachcs and condolences of four
younger sisters, each with her indi-
vidual opinion on the fitness Of the
engagement it was n 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 she answered:
You're always late, dear, aren't
| you? No excuse. though. please. Don't
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 Il little sudden heartache For q
| whole month one only had had the
right and privilege Of claiming her, and
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 imprcSSion. She didn't want to be
impressed lii measure she blamed
! lmpreSSioniSm for her engagement to
Dean. lie was II 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 cllumshp, 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
eXactinS-most eXacting.
Any man who was engaged to q girl
and positively forbade any other man
falling in love with her was eXacting.
Moreover. it was foolish, because, real
ly, 1t was in the abstract compliment
to his own good taste.
She could not help Jack Stowoll tell
ing her that he loved her. or course
he loved her. He had told her so on an
average of twice a month for over
year. And he was Il dear, dear boy.
She smiled contcntedly at the mir
rored image OF herself in the dressing
room as she paused to tuck in a few
refractory hairpins. Who could help
, loving her: Even Dean had called
her the dearest girl in the world. 1t
was sweet to remember that. or course
he had behaved intolcrably about Jack,
but when man is in love
She laughed softly and buried her
lips carcsSingly in the heart of
single long Stcmmed La France rose
that lay lightly on her breast
The last trailing gown was vanish
ing beyond the heavy velvet portieres
OF the dining room us she came down
stairs. Only one lone figure awaited
her coming In the wide hall, and she
wondered who it could be. Not Jack.
| Mrs. Creighton did not approve of
| Jack. In fact, she had once called
him II cub. Mild, but irritating-to
| Jack. The figure turned suddenly at
the sound of her coming 1t was Dean
himself. Half unconSciously she hes
itated. her head lifted trifle higher
than usual, her lashcs dropping OBJ
stinatcly over telltale eyes.
He was terribly grave and dignified.
II am 10 have the pleasure of TAX
ing you in, Mrs. Creighton said She
evidently does not know"
Il had no idea that you would be
here She spoke Indignantly. 1t was
almost impertinent of him, when only
last night she had told him she never
wished to even look at him again
II could hardly help myself, after
accepting the invitation a week ago.
We Will probably meet in the same
places for some time, until the break
Ing of the engagement is announced.
At present people consider us indis-
pensable to each others happiness"
His quiet, courteous sarcasm was
maddening under the circumstances.
She resolved not to even speak to him
again. Old Mr.. Rathburn sat Mt her
other hand, and she devoted herself to
him with earnest fervor. He was in
tercsted in plan for the irrigation of
the great American desert by means Of
huge spinning hose nozzles to be op-
Grated from balloons.
"But you'll have to get the water I'D
there before you can get 1t down." OBJ
Jected Rosemary anXiously for the sew
enth time. She knew that Dean was
smiling amusedly. Unless you attach
1t to the Clouds"
Mr.. Rathburn was silent, and she