The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-08-17
Rose
Chains
BY lola L. FORESTER
Copyright, 1904, By Izola L. FORESTER


nef li'd been announced. She had
barely time to toss aside her ft1rs and
exchange a few hurried words with
Mrs. Creighton.
lhere was one thing certain, she de-
clded, after glance at Helen and the
rest They had not heard vet, 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
at 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
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 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 Impression. She didn't want to be
impressed. In measure she blamed
impressionism for her engagement to
Dean. He was a royal comrade clever
and responsive, but not too clever or
too responsive. There was Il difference
Looking back on the joyous days Of the
month, she decided that it had been this
element Of chumship, of mindful atfini-
ty, which had been responsible for the
whole thing.
AS a 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
ly, it was in the abstract a compliment
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 50 on an
average of twice month for over a
year. And he was dear, dear boy.
She smiled contentedly at the mir
rored image Of herself in the dressing
room as she paused to tuck in Il 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 OF course
he had behaved intolerably about Jack,
but when a man is in love
She laughed softly and buried her
lips caressingly in the heart of a
single long stemmed 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 as 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 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 Il trilie higher
than usual, her lashes dropping OBJ
stinately over telltale eyes.
He was terribly grave and digniiied.
81 am to have the pleasure Of tax
ing you in. Mrs. Creighton said. She
evidently does not know.
81 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 mt him again.
81 could hardly help myself, after
accepting the invitation Il 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 at her
other hand, and she devoted herself to
him with earnest fervor. He was in
terested in plan for the irrigation of
the great American desert by means of
huge spinning hose nozzles to be OPP
Grated from balloons.
But you'll have to get the water up
there before you can get it down. OBJ
jected Rosemary anXiously for the sew
enth time. She knew that Dean was
smiling amusedly. "Unless you attach
sit to the Clouds
Mr.. Rathburn was silent, and she
felt withercd by sense OF his DIS
pleasure, and she hated the theory OF
irrigation by balloons on any other way.
Dean was talking across the table
to Eleanor Lee. and she suddenly class
ed Eleanor with irrigation and other
unpleasant topics. Next TO Dean was
HI,., tn II..I. ,l..ll