The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-25
TIE EVENING STORY
The Wrong Roses.
ID r c.,ofa \


1usted her wraps and prepared to end
her call. The girls mother was, how
ever, mistress of herself-and of the
situation.
Il hope to Keep my girl as long as I
cam she said simply. 81 suppose
mother will never get over thinking
she has first claim! Isn't it lovely
day for March? My plants are taking
new lease of life-see that geranium?"
She Unanswered her caller to the door
with the change of subject.
What the mother said to herself was
that if Avis was not engaged to John
Avery she should be, in the light of his
constant attendance, his claiming so
much of the girls time and interest
that the numerous other men in her
wake a year before had seemingly
yielded their ground-all except, per-
haps, Guy Hardin. who persisted inter
mittently in calls, dance and theater
invitations and the like. Mrs. Horton
wished that the girls father were liv-
ing or that she had brother to call
John Avery to account. She herself
shrank from intimating to the young
man that his friendly prerogative
should not give him the rights OF a
lover, that, in short, he should ask
Avis to marry him, or clear the field
and give others a chance.
Not that John Avery was anything
she could find the slightest objection
to. He was simply, it seemed to the
mother, rather a laggard in love. Or
was it overdelicacy, his not pressing
his claim, till Avis was bit older and
better acquainted with him? Still
surely year was enough of a test.
Just then she heard Avis whirling
down the stairs to answer ring of the
door bell. In a moment she entered,
her dainty blond face in a glow of
pleasure, a cluster of pink roses in her
hands. They were Ayery's roses and
had been coming every few days for
months-always the same. There
used to be carnations from Harry
York, violets from Guy, and various
offerings from others, but now there
were only pink roses.
The mother noted the girls wistful
absorption in them, as she put them
in a bowl and stood bending over
their fresh fragrance. She thought
that this young man needed little
more competition, but she did not wish
to make the girl conscious, to let her
think she wished her to marry at all
she did not. But she knew Guy Har-
din was not the man to be safehold
for a young vife's happiness, whereas
John could be trusted.
'I'm going to the theater, mother,
DEAR the girl said; 81 forgot to tell
you before"
with Guy ?' asked the mother, with
an impartial voice.
"He was too slow-John asked me
first The tenderness in her voice
hurt the nlother-it was John who
was too slow. She hoped the girl
might not show her love until it was
,, asked for. What was to be done? As
she paused she saw Avis lean her fair
head over the pink roses and murnlur:
you darlingsi But-sometimes L
wish you were red, red roses" A wish
which was food for reflection to the
mother mind.
Avis. all smiles, went to the play.
her dark young cavalier bending
! adoringly over her. shutting her out
from anything, anybody but herself.
selfish with the supreme selfshness or
young love.
The next dav marked change in
things. Guy Hardin called in the af-
ternoon and outdid himself in inter
esting the girl. He rallied her into
taking a long walk with him. At dusk,
as he left her again at her door and
! swung laughingly off. florists boy
turned back at her exclamation as she
opened it and took out single exqui-
site red rose. She breathed her de-
light.
"Oh, Guy! how-lovely of your He
had come back to stand beside her in
the doorway.
whats lovely of me? To love you?
Oh the flower? Is my card with 1t
I refuse to own to the blossom-its
not good enough to send you, Avis.
Think. mere red rose to-you! he
laughed and left her. But she treas
ured the rose, not showing It to her
mother-taking it upstairs with her.
And at twilight the next day came an
other and thereafter each dusk
| brought the girl one perfect red rose
with no card.
Guy steadfastly denied knowledge of
them Avery still sent the pink ones
as of yore. Finally one evening when
he called she was sitting before the
fire with a glowing red blossom in her
blue belt. Avery's eyes opened.
'rWhat's this?" he questioned light
| ly. wearing the wrong rose?'
'tCan a rose be wrong: Then why
send it?' she parted
"I didn't send it-that's why it's the
wrong rose-pink's the color o. love-
the books say-my color for you.
Whence the red?"
sThey come every night-with no
card. believe you send 'em: Guy de.
clares he doesn't suspected him"
Then. lightly, she changed the subject,
while the young mans wrath rose
within him. If Guy Hardin dared to
send her-then the bell rang, and in a
moment Guy himself entered the
room. He greeted Avery cheerfully,
sat down, and simply proceeded to
stav and moreover. to make the girl
and the girls mother glad that he did.
He interested amused. claimed and
It was early when John Avery rose
and declared it time to go.
go early? Wait awhile longer and
I'll 90 with you, Avery"
G1v.s voice was easy-a little pat
ronizing. He was the elder and more
successful man. and the younger
mans blood boiled. He had some to
ask-rather to tell Avis-that he was
going to take her to the Scranton
dance. He could not believe his ears
when Hardin said coolly, anticipating
| him:
IT came hoping you would not be
already promised for that Scranton
q ffafr Miss Horton. want to pre-
sent myself as a candidate for your
escort-will you give ma a chance
0r am too late % It was all so easy
and casual The girl laughed-she
was a little fascinated. And 1t