Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-04-11
"RoSes Red and
VioletS Blue"
BY TEMPLE BAILEY
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.


Tue waiting rOoul III III" HiS HfllaTl-
ment store was In balcony that form
ed sort Of halfway house between
the first and second floors From a
seat IN one Of the bulging corners one
commanded the whole sweep of busy
counters all the sparkle aud glitter
and color OF attractlvcly displayed
goods
To Jessica, nineteen. pretty and Wis
iting the great city for the first time.
II seemed like fairyland
Il want to buy everything" she said
to Aunt Theodore Hancock. who had
brought her there.
Aunt Theodore smiled ndugcntly
".All is not gold that giitcrs." she
said
Jcssica smiled back but like the
glitter" she said. IL never use scent
cd soap. but shall surely buy some
because Of the pretty boxes. and that
pale green note paper Is n dream. al
though | never write ON anything but
white And | ain awfully drawn TO
those strings of glass beads. even
though ! am sure that | should never
dare wear them IN public"
But Aunt Theodore after years OF
city residence was an experienced
shopper Beware of temptation" she
warned. Come on upstairs and look
nj the sensible things"
II don't want to ice sensible" Jes-
slca pleaded II want to stay here
and see people buying things that they
don't want for the mere pleasure OF
| buying"
Aunt Theodore hesitated.
"po YOU really want to Sit here for
awhile she asked with an air Of re-
lief. Il could leave you aud slip up
TO the grocery department and give an
order But YOU mustn't stir from this
corner, or should never lind you"
oh I'll stay" Jessica promised
YOU run along, Aunt Thee | am per
fectly happy right here"
So Aunt Theodore took her stately
way through the crowds. and just as
she disappeared Jessica's eyes fell on
the valentines.
There was marvellous display right
IN the middle OF the store. and strung
from post TO post We're plump red
hearts transfixed with golden darts
while fascinating pink cupids bobbed
and bowed with every tiny current Of
air that swept through the store
Iessicas heart gave a little throb Of
delight She would buy one for Cousin
Bob. He would never know who sent
It. ana She would like To see his eyes
on 81. Valentines morning when he
opened his mail at the breakfast table
Without a thought Of Aunt Theodore
she hurried downstairs Ia the crowded
counter.
II was not easy to make Il choice
There We're so many beauties cxquI-
site. modern. hand painted cards, with
verses from all the love poets and old
fashioned valentines with old fashion
ed rhymes
JesSicas eyes rested lovingly on
quaint affair Of lace paper with a nose
gay Of fat pink roses ana huge violets
In the center II was very Ike one
that Cousin Bob had sent her when she
was Il little girl and she had kept IL
among the most precious If her treas
ures The verse. too. was the same
Roses red and violets blue
My heart to you is ever true
She smiled a little wistfuly as she
read. Probably Cousin Bob had forgot
ten that other valentine had forgotten
the later days when NJ twenty-five he
had visited the old farm and had made
new world for little Jcssica of fifteen.
lie had seemed wonderful 10 her then.
and he was still wonderful. with his
frank. kind ways and his pleasant man
ner But now he was man of the
world. and he might marry almost any
Of the beautiful women of his set
Again she fingered the valentine.
Why not send IT.
And even while she hesilatel into the
balcony waiting room came Aunt rhco
dora. escorted by tall young man
with II frank smile
where has that child gomez" Aunt
Theodore said blankly To her stepson.
Il told her not TO stir Youll have TO
go aud look for her, Bob I'm dead
tired. It's lucky met Won"
Well wait minute" he advised
she can't have gone far"
And even as he spoke Jessca hove In
sight, eyes shining. her cheeks rs red
as roses and In her hand paper pack
age.
by Jove. she's charming little
thing" said Cousin Bob. noting with
appreciation the ripple OF her hair. the
delicate oval OF her face above her soft
gray furs. the becomlngness OF the VIC
let's in her hat.
Aunt Theodore looked at him re-
proachfully.
We'll. have YOU just discovered her
attrctlons?' she asked Il brought
her down here because She Is the sweet
est little gentlewoman | have ever met.
and ! wanted TO show you another type
from the gay young ladies' that you
meet In society. And you have hardly
noticed her"
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