The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-14
copyright. 1910. by Associated

Literary Press)
@ When Noel OSrnond asked her III
he might send flowers the night OF
the Hasken ball Mildred Ward smiled
enigmaticalH.
sYou are very kind indeed. and ]
sm especially fond OF white vioiets.
Her quick glance caught his little
start OF surprise st the hint. White
sfolets at that season were quite be-
yond the slim purse of young Mr.
Osmond.
SoePs lips hardened into "a straight
line. All the pleasure he might feel
In knowing that Mildred would wear
his flowers was lost In the thought
that the flowers would hold no mean
ing for her beyond their novelty and
extravaganza.
He did not remain long after that.
Rather grave and preoccupied. ne
held Miidred's hand in his own for
brief instant and then went away.
When he reached the florists, he
turned in and asked for white violets.
The clerk brought out jar of the
white blossoms, velvety. exquisite In
texture, but quite odorlesS The price
was away beyond Noel's pocketbook,
end he hesltated. OF course, they
might be charged--although he was
poor himself. was he not the nephew
OF the rich MIR. Osmond and very
likely his heir-and he need not be
mortified in the sight of the girl he
loved. StiIl Noel Osmond had come
,-ttrv-rfty- wft'r--rry hrgn fdeafs or
paving his way In the world and GO
ing without what he could not pay
for.
The Wards were rich and fashion
able people But Mildred herself, the
RIA ~ fer H.
spoiled by 1t all Noel had found
himself telling her OF his fight for
place in the world and the ambition
that kept him bright and keen-eyed
and fresh and clean-hearted in the
midst of a world of temptations.
Mildred had seemed TO understand
and their relations had been growing
a little closer and Noel WAS hoping
hoping--soTne miracle might happen
whereby he might become rich in
day and SO be in position to declare
his love.
And. knowing his poverty. she had
expressed wish for white violets
A telephone bell rang sharp and
the clerk turned to the instrument.
Noel looked wistfulIy at the jar of
ytolets. How he would have enjoyed
sending that great mass of white
blossoms up to Mildred! What was
the man saying at the telephone?
Yes, Mr.. KEENAN,, we nave a few
white vioiets--weii. "A good-sized
bunch--send them up to Miss Ward
I rs. sir. thank sou, SIR" he turned
brfskfy IN Noel. ----e---
III you do not want these, sir, !
have an order for them all
4 won't take them said Noel.
turning away with sick jealousy
eco ri rsnr Mt h ri Ia Il
Kenyon weli-Tom was as rich as
Noel was poor.
He ordered pink rosebuds with
grim, unpleasant mouth. and paid
for them Az he stFeae heme~ard
he felt for the first time the gall OF
poverty, ne desptsed himself because
he was too poor to be able to indulge
the girl he loved He could never
hope to win her for his wife--what
had he TO offer her save youth and
q perpetual struggle To keep up APP
pearances?
once more he would see her would
dance with her. talk To her; then he
would go as far away as he could
fram this cold. unfeeling New York,
where money was the standard In
every walk of life. He would &C
into the West. where fortunes are
made quickly. and perhaps some day
II Tom Kenyon did not step in be-
tween with his ready-made fortune
but II was very likely Tom woale
step in
The hours Intervening he spent IL
bitter calculations that only strength
ened his resolve to cut ii all and ~
away. and start his career over agaii
In some city where Mildred Ward
lovely face and charming presence
might never tempt him from work.
He carried these bitter reflection
with him TO the Hasken palace. wher
/, 80 many millions rubbed elbows tina
ii seemed to Noel that the very al