The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-02-02
THE. COLOR
OF THE ROSE
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Agatha rose from her chair with an
astonished expression, as the butler
announced Major Melville" and a
tall, square-shouldered man, with a
deeply bronzed face, entered the draw
ing room when did you arrive from
Indian" she cried, as their hands met.
THE day before yesterday" he ans
wered. "How nice of you to come to
see me so soon! Or" she continued,
as faint smile crossed his face, per
haps you haven't come to see me!
Anyhow, Elinor will be here in few
minutes. Do, pray sit down-it must
be quite four years"
Nearly five," said Hugh, taking a
chair. "That last time we met was
on Judith's wedding day, you know. :"
by the bye" returned Agatha.
I'VE all rather expected Judith's mar
riage might possibly be followed by
--4by another"
YES" murmured Hugh, with his
eyes ON the carpet; II was hopeful
enough to share your anticipations. Is
Elinor all-all right?" He inquired
'aOh, dear, yes" "The-same as
aver?" he persisted.
"Of course, like the rest of us,
the is 50 much older" said Agatha
with a laugh. Although you would
scarcely think so to look at her. A
little more sedate, perhaps and ever
80 much sweeter She has lived with
us the last eighteen months, since
her mothers DEATH suppose you
knew. Now, why were our expecta-
lions disappointed, Hugh?" she asked
He sat gazing down at the carpet
rs if he were hestitating how to ans
Wer, but suddenly raised his eyes to
Agatha's face.
The fact is" he explained little
awkwardly, II was younger and more
ingenious in those days. well,
chapter without saying something
about that which had ended"
Elmer was not interested?" sug-
gested Agatha.
II fancy 1t had a kind of interest
Sor her." said Hugh.
Anyhow. it didn't meet with her
approval?"
That was scarcely possible" he
answered. But 1 had counted ON her
nagnanimity!
"Oh, dear!" cried Agatha, chow
plainly you bring that day back to me!
/ can picture you all in this room
again-everything is just the same,
isn't it? OF course, you were Harold's
best man. can see you in the church
at his side. You wore white rose
bud in your buttonhole."
Pink" said Hugh.
But I am certain it was white"
she insisted.
Il assure you," answered Hugh,
with much solemnity, that the rose
was pink"
AS he was speaking, an electric bell
was heard to ring; and after momen
tary hesitation, Agatha interrupted
him by rising from her chair. With
out word of explanation she left the
room before he could find time to
reach the door. Running downstairs
she met in the hall girl few years
younger than herself, and as much
like her as an extremely beautiful
cousin could be like a rather plain
.one. "Elinor!" whispered Agatha,
resting a hand on her arm, Hugh
Melville is in the drawing room" For
a second Elinor, taken completely by
surprise, stood stock still, pressing
hand to her neck, while all the color
faded from her face.
He-he has been asking about
you," added Agatha, and Elinor threw
back her head a little disdainfully.
''Very kind of him. she answered,
having recovered all her self-control.
"Shall we go upstairs?" she suggest
ed, and minute afterward she was
sweeping into the room in Agatha's