The Grit-advocate., 1906-01-05
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Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub. COP

Allene was not a debutante, but this
was the eve Of her coming-out party.
After she had been graduated from
the fashionable finishing school she
had spent two years abroad with her
aunt and cousins as travelling COM
panions. So she had mingled but little
in the society of her home city since
she was school girl.
During these last four years, her
heart had fluttered in many ways but
flown in none. and she was still heart
and she was looking forward with
some curiosity as to the men she
would meet tonight.
Among the many offerings Of flow
'ers she had received in honor of the
coming event, three boxes had partic-
ularly attracted her interest. One held
the conventional, glorious American
beauties. longstemmed and full bios
somed. The box was accompanied
by the visiting card, correct in every
detail, Of Mr. Schuyler Elton Van
Rensler, whom she had first met
while at school in New York. He had
Joined her aunt's party once or twice
In their travels, and by invitation he
was to be present at her homecoming
party.
THE flowers and card are like him."
SIZE thought-"the very best to be had
-faultlessly faultless. American beau
ties are, Of course, beyond criticism,
but dead perfection bores me-some
times"
The next box held her favorite flow
'er, violets. Instead of card, a note
met her eye as she lifted the cover.
She recognized the boyish scrawl with
a little thrill of pleasure. Ned
Holmes, four years her senior, had been
her attendant back in the high school
days. How proud she had been to re.
ceive letters from a student, and a
junior at that. She had been to his
college town to see him play football.
and had in consequence been the envy
of her classmates.
'You see l have not forgotten your
favorite flower" he wrote. Il trust
that you are still loyal to your choice:
also that you have not forgotten your
AllCuu VI oCuoOludy
1t gave her pleasure now to recall
those days, and of course, 1t was fiat
tering to have her tastes so we'll re-
membered. The third box! what
blissful day was recalled by the deli
cate odor of the large bunch of wake
robins reposing on their bed of moss!
1t was like the donor, she reflected,
to enclose neither note nor card
simply message from the woods
the reminder of one perfect, never-to.
be-forgotten day.
1t had been during a brief visit
home In the spring of her last year at
the city school when she was but eigh-
teen. and her head was filled with
dreams Of ideals. All her favorite
heroes she likened unto Kenneth AL
len, the son Of their family physician.
She had been called home on account
of the illness Of her mother. DIR.
Allen, senior. was away from home,
and his son. Kenneth, who had been
practicing with his father for the past
two years, was called in. His treat
ment of the case and her mothers
speedy recovery mad shown that he
was competent and skillful doctor.
Hitherto Allene had seen but little
OF Kenneth. He had been away at
college, year in a hospital in New
York and year in Berlin. He avoid
ed all social functions and seemed shy
with women. In her mothers sickroom,
however there had Sprung I'm ono NJ