The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-06-11

an evening gown of soft, dull black,
which brought out the snowy white
ness Of her throat and arms. In her
thick dark tresses a great tiara glow
ed and sparkled, rivaling, it seemed.
the riviere of splendid gems about her
neck. while at her breast blazed
mammoth brooch. Fashioned in the
wings, shimmering blaze Of light, the
proud bird stood as an emblem of its
country's wealth and daring, perched
| on the bosom of a princess of the free
To Richard. in his present state Of
| mind, Harriet seemed the most ra-
dainty perfect creature yet produced
| since the world began. AS she bowed
behind the tootlights for the second
time to an enthusiastic encore a large
bouquet Of American Beauties was
tossed upon the stage, and Miss Har-
riet blushed as she stopped for this
| most opposite tribute to her own
| charms. When safely behind the cur
tains she glanced at a card attached.
| which bore two words, "An Ameri-
| can" This signature was vague. yet
| somehow Miss Renwyck picked the
donor out from myriads Of gentlemen
who might better have claimed the
| title, and again she blushed as she
buried her face among the fragrant
| buds.
"How splendid of himw she whis-
| pered to her roses. IF only he had
been my cowboy perhaps
But the rest was secret which the
roses never told.
One by one the guests departed, but
not till the last of them was driven
away on the gravel road did Richard
| with his ladylove. He was seated in
| darkened nook on the front veranda,
sheltered from the light by thick wis
| taria vines He had lighted a cigar
and was dreaming. as he smoked, Of
| how beautiful she was when suddenly
he caught the swishing sound of skirts,
and she took wicker rocker by his
| side.
Lord Croyland," she murmured
softly, II knew it was you by the smell
| Of your cigar"
| Richard was not connoisseur as re-
CARDS tobacco, and he wondered idly
If the real Lord Croyland's favorite
brand was up to the standard of this
doubtful compliment. Miss Harriet
continued:
I'm glad 1 found you alone, for 1
want to thank you for these" She
held her sheaf Of roses toward him.
1T was dear Of you to send them. and
it pleased me more than I can say"
Nonsense" he laughed. mo flower
that ever grew is worthy Of you. That
sounds foolish, I suppose. for many
people must have said the same be-
fore, but I mean it simply, honestly"
THANK you," she said softly, and
| both for time were silent
| Miss Harriet" he yentured present
~, you are beautiful tonight" He
checked her pleased laugh and contin-
| ued earnestly, II don't mean that you
are not beautiful always, but l have
never seen you in black before, and'-
'How absurd" she smiled. 81 shall
soon begin to think you like all the
rest. fatterer-just fatterer'-
mo, no." he protested warmly; lit Is
more than that, believe me. want to
carry away with me forever the men,
DRY OF you as you looked tonight
must leave soon. I'm going home"
Back to England?' she asked, a
tremor in her voice.
"No, to Texas"
"What?"
| Richard caught himself just in time.
| "Well-er-well, you see," he STAN
mered. ''you have turned me into such
good American that l think of your
country now as being quite my own.
I lived down there for nearly a year,
you know. and now-and now business
calls me back again"
! Once more they were silent for a
little space.
| and are you not coming north
| again." she asked him nervously.
1T depends" said Richard the
Brazen, smiling into the wistaria vine.
| Listen. Miss Harriet. I want to ask
| you something. No. it isn't question.
| 1t is only flower. would like to
| take just one Of those roses to a COW
boy down in Texas. l will find him
II can. and know it Will make him
happier than anything else In all the
world May I have the rose?''
! His tone was sad and low, but Har-
riet's tone was lower still when she
answered haltingly:
mo; you need not take it to my hero
OF the plains. No doubt he has forgot
ten me-if he ever thought of meas I
shall cease to think Of him. What
should a cowboy do with a flower?
And yeti will not be ungenerous. To
! me you have given all these. Take one
and keep it for YOURSELF
With trembling hand she laid a
rose upon his lap, but Richard forgot
the flower and caught the hand
you mean," he whispered eagerly.
that might one day take his place:
that r.