The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-14
THE EVENING STORY
IOIetS or EOSeSg
by Clarissa Mackie. }


might send flowers the night Of the
Hasken ball. Mildred Ward smiled
cnignatically
You are very kind. indeed; and /
am especially fond of white violets.'
Her quick glance caught his little
start of surprise at the hint. White
violets at that season were quite be-
yond the slim purse of young Mr.. o.
mond.
Noel's 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 meaning for
her beyond their novelty and extrav-
agance.
He did not remain long after that.
Rather grave and preoccupied, he held
Mildred'S hand in his own for a brief
instant and then went away. When he
asked for white violets. The clerk
brought out jar of the white Bios
SONS, velvety, equisite in texture,
but quite odorless. The price was
he hesitated. OF course they might be
harged-although he was poor him
self, was he not the nephew of the
rich Mr.. Osmond and very likely his
helr-and he need not be mortified in
the sight Of the girl he loved. Still
Noel Osmond had come to the city
with very high ideals of paying his way
IN the world and going without what
he could not pay for.
The Wards were rich and fashionable
people. But Mildred herself, the
youngest daughter. was quite unspoiIed
by it all Noel had found himself
telling her of his fight for a 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-some miracle might happen
whereby he might become rich in a
day and so be in position to declare
his love.
expressed a wish for white violets!
telephone ball rang Sharply and
the clerk turned to the instrument.
Noel looked wistfully at the jar of
sending that great mass of white
blossoms Up to Mildred! What was
the man saying at the telephone?
Yes, Mr.. Kenyon, We have a few
white violets-well, good-sized
bunch-send them up to Miss Ward ?
Yes. sir, thank you, sirl" He turned
briskly to Noel.
III you do not want these, sir,
have an order for them ALL"
II won't take them,'' said Noel turn
ing awav with a sick jealousy tearing
at his heart. He knew Tom Kenyon
weli-Tom was as rich as Noel was
poor.
He ordered pink rosebuds with grim,
unpleasant mouth, and paid for them.
AS he strobe homeward he felt for
the first time the gall of poverty; he
despised 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 perpetual struggle to
Keep up appearances?
Once more he would see her. would
dance with her. talk to her; then he
would go as fars away as he could,
from this cold, unfeeling New York,
where money was the standard in
every walk of life. He would go into
the west, where fortunes are made
Quickly, and perhaps some day. if Tom
Kenyon did not step in between with
his ready-made fortune-but it was
very likely Tom would step in,
The hours intervening he spent in
bitter calculations that only strength
ened his resolve to cut it all and go
away, and start his career over again
in some city where Mildred Ward S
lovely face and charming presence
might never tempt him from work.
with him to the Hasken palace, where
so many milliors rubbed elbows that
it seemed to Noel that the very air
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
violetS!
Noel made himself very wretched
that evening. He did not dance often, |
but he glowered in distant corners
t,4 ,sxr1,k frI1
head.
TO approach her might be to invite |
a snub. When he did meet her 1t all
happened SO suddenly that he could not |
avoid the situation. He had wandered |
into the conservatory and was modify |
" atching the goldfish darting to and |
fro in the hue basin when there was |
the sound of quick steps on the mar
BILE floor and Tom Kenyon's deep voice |
saying:
''Sit down here. Mile: I'll bring you
an ice" Then ne was gone and Mil
fred herself. flushed and sparkling.
came around the big palm and came |
Upon Noel at the goldfish basin.
s'Why, Mr.. Osmond, did not know
you were here" she said as he bent
above her hand. She drew away and
looked al him oddly
said Noel. an fact I'm SO grouchy
hat 1 think I'll clear out!" His eyes
fingered on her upturned face with
is wistful look tina, he had surprised
,nce or twice before. Il hope you
re having a delightful time" he went
IN lanlely. /
Her head dropped a little yes, it
$ a lovely ball. Thank you for the
beautiful rosebuds. Mr.. Osmond-they
ire :ust the color of my gown"
Noel flushed darkly and his eyes
ested on the white vioiets. With
udden impulse of angry despair he
ouched TIL. blossoms with a tentative
orefnscr.
Il could not send you these" he said
larshly ST an too poor, Miss Ward
Il sent what could afford to pay for.
7ou are very gracious to accept the
oses when you asked for violets. You