The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-14
THE EVENING STORY
'Roses Red and vioiets blue"
by Temple Bailey.l

by Temple Baileyl
Inc waiting room in the big depart
ment store was in a balcony that form
60 sort Of halfway house between the
nrst and second floors From a seat in
one OF the bullying corners one COM
manded the whole sweep Of busy count
ers-au the sparkle and glitter and color
OF attractfvely displayed goods
70 oesslca, -, pretty, and visiting the
like fairyland
80 want to buy everything" she said
brought her there.
Aunt Theodora smiled indulgently.
All Is not gold that glitters," she
Jessica smiled back "But like the
sntter, she said. "I never use scent
ca soap, but I shall surely buy some
because of the pretty boxes, and that
pale green note paper is q dream, al
tIougn never write on anything but
Wnite, and I am awfully drawn to
those strings of glass beads. even
Sshougn l am sure that should never
But Aunt Theodore after years of
city residence, was an experienced
shopper. Beware of temptation" she
W. wat ne Come on upstairs and look
at the sensible things
Il don't want to be sensible" Jes-
slca pleaded. IT want to stay here and
see people buying things that they don't
want Tor the mere pleasure of buying"
Aunt Theodore hesitated.
DO you really want to sit here for a
Wniie! she asked, with an air Of re-
neI. 1 could leave you and slip up to
the grocery department and give an Or
DER. But you mustn't stir from this
"oh. I'll stay" Jessica promised.
You run along. Aunt Thee, I 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 a marvellous display, right
In the middle Of the store, and strung
from post to post, were plump red
hearts transf1xed with golden darts.
while fascinating pink cupids bobbed
and bowed with every tiny current Of
air that swept through the store.
Jess1ca's heart gave a little throb of
delight. She would buy one for Cousin
Bob. He would never know who sent
it, and she would like to see his eyes
on St Valentines morning, when he
opened his mail at the breakfast table.
Without thought Of Aunt Theodore
she hurried downstairs to the crowded
counter.
1t was not easy to make a choice.
There were SO many beauties-exQuis-
lite, modern, hand-painted cards, with
verses from all the love poets and old
rhymes.
Jessica's eyes rested lovingly on a
quaint affair Of lace paper, with nose
gay of fat pink roses and huge violets
that Cousin Bob had sent her when
she was little girl and she had kept
it among the most precious of her
treasures The verse, too, was the
same:
Roses red and violets blue,
NV heart fO Won Is ever trIIe
She smiled little wistfully as she
read. Probably Cousin Bob had for
gotten that other valentine-had for
gotten the later days when at % he
new world for little Jessica Of 10.
He had seemed wonderful. to her then.
and he was still wonderful with his
frank. kind ways, and his pleasant
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 hesitated, into
the balcony waiting room came Aunt
Theodore, escorted by tall young
with frank smile.
Where has that child gomez" Aunt
Theodore said blankly to her stepson.
st told her not to stir. You'll have to
go and look for her. Bob. I'm dead
tired. It's lucky met you"
We'll wait a minute" he advised.
She can't have gone far
And even as he spoke Jessica hove in
as roses, and in her hand a 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 becomingness Of the vi
Diets in her hat.
Aunt Theodore looked at him. re-
proacnful1y.
.Well, have you just discovered her
attractions?" she asked. "I brought
her down here because she is the
Sweetest little gentlewoman have ever
met, and wanted to show you anoth-
err type from the gay young ladies
that you meet in society. And you
have hardly noticed her"
Cousin Bob laughed.
You're a matchmaker" he teas
ed. DO you really want me to marry
Jessica 2"
Aunt Theodore looked at him
said. land I'd like to leave my mon
ey to both of you. But you've been
so slow making up your mind, that
some one may have gotten in ahead
of you"
"Oh," began, Cousin Bob - and
just then Jessica Joined them, and
Cousin Bob insisted on taking them
to a wonderful restaurant, where they
had lunch to the sound OF music play
ed amid the palms, and he was 50 de-
voted that Jessica's heart beat high.
The week that followed was full of
delights and of attentions from Cou-
sin Bob, and II was on st. Valentines
Eve that Aunt Theodore came into
Jessica's room, and found that young
lady in pink dressing gown braid
ing her shining hair.
Aunt Theodore was in gray flannel,
and her hair was in crimping pins.
"Jessica," she said, solemnly, as
she sank into a big chair, 'If Bob
proposes to you. don't accept him the
first time he asks"
Jessica stared at her.
"Oh. Aunt Theodora," she stam-
mered. "Cousin Bob isn't a bit in