Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-19
SlHX X'lNHIE|. .ROSES xNA
INN aRIl4sAyB,SiTOpDEOQ
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| "T was now quite well, and cheerfully busy
sightseeing, the days going by all too quickly
for the things / wished to do and when a tele-
gram came from Fred that same morning, an
nouncing his arrival at Havre, ] was shocked TO
find I did not feel that delirium Of joy l should
have felt-and would two months ago.
What allied me? Was falling in love? But
one can't love an abstraction, and had never
received a word, hint, glance to suggest
the unknown donor of the roses"
She stopped and the bride, who had for
some time evidently forgotten her tea, and was
sitting rapt the eggshell cup held poised in
her fingers, now loosed her slight hold and let
| it slide to the floor, where it shattered with a
sharp crash against the brass claw of the tea
stand.
She stopped to pick up the fragments, and
her face flushed and paled she rose but it
was the other of the trio who cried out, impa'
tiently-
''Well, go on! What next"
There is no next The roses ceased from
that day, as abruptly they began, and Fred
came the next. | delighted to see him, of
course, and charmed to return to my native
land; but, alas my rose-romance was ended,
and is still mystery"
She rose. and drew up her dainty wrap.
well" she said, with a sigh, IT must go. Come
Annie, there's Mrs Luxmore's dinner, you
know, and we have to dress yet, Yes, that's
the worst of these life-stories; they are un
SATISFYING; tleY nave no eQ0lngS
The two callers passed out not over-urged to
delay by their possibly she, too, was
due at the Luxmore dinner; but she furtivey
watched them down the steps with air of
repressed excitement.
At their foot they met the young master of
the house, who greeted them with frank cordial
ity. handed them into the waiting carriage lift
ed his hat, and turned again towards the house.
Two eager hands seized him at the door, and
drew him into the privacy of the little tea
room, fragrant with its rose-bowls and its gent
" steaming beverage; and two fearful eyes
gazed into his
"Will" said the choked voice of his pretty
wife, Give found out who received all those
roses we've wondered about so often--those you
ordered sent me in Paris before mar
ried, you know, The stupid florist sent them to
the wrong pension-to a lady; and she-she-
she's in love with you'll"
with me? Impossible! She can't have the
remotest idea who l am. / did not give even
the florist my name"
mo, but-oh, Will, it breaks my heart!"
Good heavens, darling, this is absurd Who
is the woman anyhow"
"I'll never tell you-never!"
"Well, don't, then; but"-laughingT grimly-
'if she doesn't know me, nor her, how can
We"
ooh, know, dear, know-you canti And
besides, trust you fully-perfectly; but oh,
can't you see? She has my roses, my romance,
my poem, my"
mot your husband, love. You still have me-"
"Oh, I suppose so, hut''-with a fresh burst
of sobs-"it's too, too bitter!"
Really, my dear, your language is a trife
ambiguous
Hush VIII Don't add to my despair I'll
try-yes, I will try TO be reconcied, only"
She threw herself into his arms, and neither
finished the sentence. In fact, they avoid the
subject avolrs some treacherous quick
sand. thew AVnid tOo and the Ittle
brides home is no longer abloom with them
while the pretty story-teer of that afternoon
wonders vainly why she has received the cold
shoulder of its mistress.