The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-09-02
Violets or Roses
By Cldrissa Mdclkie

sociated Literary Press
into the west, where fortunes are
made quickly, and perhaps some day.
if Tom Kenyon did not step in be-
tween 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 Yards
lovely face and charming presence
might never tempt him from work.
He carried these bitter reflections
with him to the Hasken palace, where
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. And she wore
on 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 Mildreds dark
head
To approach her might be to invite
a 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
modify 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, Mile; 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 Vard,"
said Noel. I'm fact I'm so grouchy
that l think I'll clear QUIT" His eyes
fingered on her upturned face with
its wistful look that he had surprised
once or twice before. II hope you
are having a delightful time," he
went on lamely.
Her head dropped a little. "Yos, 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.
II could not send you these" he
said harshly. II am too poor, Miss
Vard-1 sent what I 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-1'm not in it with the other
chaps-I can't play the camel"
Somehow her hand found it's way
to his arm and was timidly laid on
his black sleeve. IT asked you to
send violets, Mr. Osmond, because I
knew they were extravaganza" 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
ing your way upward with the cour-
age of your convictions apparent in
your actions! I am not disappointed,
Mr.. Osmond. If you had sent me
white violets I am afraid I would
have been quite Disguised with you"
Noers 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 low neck of
her gown.
Your buds are here" she said
softly. and Noel saw that his pink
roses formed 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.
The miracle did not occur till the
next day when Noel's Uncle Francis
Osmond offered him place in his
banking house. I'm order to learn
the business which you must one day
inherit, young mani" he said sharply.
1--WE been watching you, Noel, and
expecting you to fall into the fast
pace every day, but I'm disappointed,
agreeably, my boy! happened to be
in that florist shop yesterday docking
at orchids behind screen) and saw
you turn down the violets and pay
for the roses like a MANICURE the
right stuff"
of house in Temple street, Yaumati,