The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-08-04
Violets or Roses
By Cldrissd Mdckie
Copyright 1910. by Associated Literary Press


so many millions 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 Ard she wore
en- the bosom of her rose-pink gown
not his roses. but Tom Kenyon's
white violets,
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
snub. When he did meet her it all
happened So suddenly that he could
not avoid the situation. He had wan
dered into the conservatory and was
moodily watching the goldfish darting
to and fro In the huge basin when
there was the sound of quick steps on
the marble floor and Tom Kenyon's
deep voice saying:
Sit down here, Millie; I'll bring
you an ice." Then he was gone and
Mildred herself. flushed and sparkling.
came around the big palm 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 Yard
said Noel. I'm fact I'm so grouchy
that | think III clear OUT" His eyes
fingered on her upturned face with
its wistful look that he had surprised
once or twice before az hope you
are having a delightful time." he
went on lamely.
Her head dropped a little. Yes, it
is lovely ball. Thank you for the
beautiful rosebuds. Mr.. Osmond-they
are Just the color of my gown"
Noel flushed darkly and his eyes
rested on the white violets. With a
sudden impulse of angry despair he
touched the blossoms with a tenta-
tive forefnger
y could not send you these" he
said harshiy. 81 am too poor. Miss
Vard-I sent what l could afford to
pay for You are very gracious to
accept the roses when you asked for
violets. You see, I've made a big
mistake-I'm not in it with the other
chaps-I can't play the camel"
Somehow her hand found its way
to his arm and was timidly laid on
his black sleeve 81 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
do you mean. Miss Vard?" he asked.
Il 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
ing your way upward with the cour-
age of your convictions apparent in
your actions! l am not disappointed,
Mr.. Osmond. If you had sent me
white violets / am afraid / would
have been quite Disguised with you. :"
Noeps heart was beating hard.
But / would have liked to have you
wear my roses" he was beginning,
when she touched the frill of pink
chiffon that edged the lew neck Of
her gown.
your buds are here" she said
softly. and Noel 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 left
her that afternoon. And Mildred ex.
| planned that Tom Kenyon was en-.
gagged to her sister Ethel. and Ethel
had pinned the white violets upon
Mildred's gown, for generous Tom
had sent her too many for one per-
son.
The miracle did not occur till the
next day when Noels Uncle Francis
| Osmond offered him a 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 you, Noel, and
expecting you to fall into the fast
pace every day. but I'm disappointed
agreeably, my boy! l happened to be
in that florist shop yesterday Cooking
at orchids behind screen) and saw
you turn down the violets and pay
for the roses like a MANICURE the