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

VIOLETS OR ROSES
NY cLARrssA aAcKIE.

, of the lighted rooms sparkled with
gold dust
he saw Mildred dancing with Tom
Kenyon. He had never been jealous
of Tom before. but the episode of the
violets had proved to him how weak
his own standing WAS. And she wore
on the bosom of her rose pink gown
not his roses, but Tom kenyons white
vioietsl
Noel made himself very wretched
that evening. He did not dance often,
but he glowered In distant corners
where he might watch Mildred's dark
head.
To approach her might be to invite
"A snuh. When he did meet her 1t all
happened SO suddenly that he could
not avoid the situation. He had wan
dered into the conservatory and was
moodily watching the goldfish dart
ing TO and fro in the huge basin when
there was the sound OF quick steps
on the marble door and Tom Ken
yons deep voice saying:
Sit down here. Mile; I'll bring
you an ice" Then he was gone and
Mildred herself. flushed and spark
ling. came around the big palms and
came upon Noel at the goldfish basin.
Why. Mr.. Osmond, / did not know
you were here" she said as he bent
above her hand. She drew away and
looked at him oddly.
I'm In a black mood. Miss Ward,
said Noel. I'm fact, I'm so grouchy
that think I'll clear out"' His eyes
fingered ffrr uprurueri- farr- with
Its wistfui look that he had surprised /
once or twice before. Il hope you
are having a delightful time" he
went on lamely.
Her head dropped a little, Yes, II
is lovely bail. Thank you for the
beautiful rosebuds. Mr.. Osmond-they
are just the color of my gown"
Noel flushed darkiy and his eyes
rested on the white violets. With ID
sudden impulse of angry despair he
tive foreflnger
Il could not send you these" he
said harshly. Il am too poor, Miss
Vard--I sent what / could afford to
pay for You are very gracious To
accept the roses when you asked for
violets You see. I've made big
mistake--im not n 1t with the othoi
chaps--f can't play the game!'
Somehow her hand found Its was
to his arm and was t'midly laid on
his black sleeve. Il asked you to
send violets. Mr.. Osmond because
knew they were extravagant," she
said quietly.
osmond stared. puzzled. yet
strangely thrilled by her tone. What
de yeu mean. Miss Ward ?" he asked.
II wondered If you were like all
the rest of them, living beyond your
means, spending more than you could
afford to pay for-or whether You
were what you appeared to be. work
sSug your way upward with the cour-
kage OF your convictions apparent IL
Your actions. / am not disappointed,
Mr. Osmond. II you had sent me
white violets ] am afraid ! would
have been quite disguised with YOU
Noels heart was beating nard
But | would have liked to have you
wear my roses" he was, begtnnins.
when she touched the friil OF pink
chiffon that edged the low neck OF
her gown.
Your buds are here.r she saio
softly. and Mel saw that his pink
roses formed a garland across her
bosom above the Violets. After that,
! events moved rapidly, and with Mil
/ dred's hands In his own and her head
on his breast he was explaining all
/ his doubts and fears since he had lett
her that afternoon. And Mildred eT~
1 planned TINT Tom Kenyon was rn-
! gagged to her sister Ethel, and Ethel
had pinned the white vioiets upon
Milared's gown, for generous Tom had
sent her too many for one person.
The miracle did not occur till the
next day, when Noeps Uncle Francis
Osmond offered him n place In his
banking house. In order TO learn
the business which you must one day
inherit, young mani" he said sharply
I've been watching yon. Noel. ane
expecting you to fall into the fas
pace every day. but I'm disappoint
ed, agreeably. my boy / happened
to be In that florist shop yesterda!
Cooking at orchids behind screen
and saw you turn down the violet
and pay for the roses like man
You're the right stuff!'