Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-07-14
THE WHITE ROSES,
BY +. A.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press Asso-

the counting necessary to marriage"
"Why can't you attend to the matter
for me, mother?" asked Edouard abb
stractedly.
Il would do So" replied the count
ess; Indeed, I have already taken
steps in the right direction, but l can
accomplish nothing without some ef-
fort on your part. l have applied in
your name for the hand Of Mile. de
Cateret. Her parents would be pleas
ed with the match, but the young lady
declares she will neve marry a man
whose fingers are perpetually stained
with acids.'
els she the elder OF the younger SIS
ter?' asked the young man absently.
"The elder"
"Her name, I believe, is H2O-I mean
Caroline"
"Oh, Edouard,' exclaimed the count
ess, raising her hands and her eyes,
you are incorrigible! I do wish you
would leave these chemicals for
awhile and help me-"
Edouard went to his mother, put his
arm about her neck and kissed her.
would you be satisfied, dear NAM
ma" he asked, eff I give up one day
to this work."
zone day! Work! Mademoiselle
needs to be courted."
"Is she romantic?"
VERY"
"You say she is religiousT
"fnSs hnrS 10 nnn NJ fh0on r11f1o1occ
natures that refers every act to a high
er power before making a decision"
"The dear %creature!" said the young
a Il dare say I should love her de-
votedly. In us there are doubtless
two currents. Could I but utilize
them to advantage
"Edouard, what are you talking
about?"
"Oh, yes, mamma; we were talking
about marriage! Forgive me. I will
do your bidding. I will go to made
moiselle''-
"Caroline."
Caroline! And ask her to be your
I mean my wife" "|'t
The countess, fearing a relapse, sent
at oDce for her sons hat and coat.
He put them on, walked to the cha
teau Of the De Caterets and sent up
a card for mademoiselle. She came
down becomingly dressed, but receiv-
ed him not very cordially. She knew
why he had come and that it was at
the instigation of his mother.
."Mademoiselle," he said, permit
me to offer you my hand and my
heart"
Your heart, monsieur?"
Eyes, mademoiselle. I am sure I
shall love you devoted1y. Just at
present I am absorbed in working out
a scientific problem. But this will
not always be. Some day I may have
time to WOO
"Monsieur!"
pardon! I will not speak furrner
on the subject now. We are all in the
hands Of a higher power, and if that
power intends that you shall be my
wife be will give you a sign"
Il assure you. monsieur, that 1 snail
require an unmistakable sign tt induce
me to marry a man who is so infat-
uated with a science that he has no
time to WOO a girl"
"Adieu, mademoiselle! I resign my
self to the will of Providence"
That night the young lady prayed
to the Virgin that If it was her will
that her w%orshiper should marry the
scientist she would give her a sign.
The next morning Edouard called
| ar rho OhHtn9J1 will, q 107on haa,1t3f111
white roses.
"Mademoiselle," he said, with his
hand on his heart and a pious express
sion of countenance, 'last night 1
dreamed that the Virgin came to me
and said: PLUCK roses from your gar
den and take them to Mile. de Cateret.
If within a few hours after you give
them to her they turn crimson she
will become your wife. If, on the
contrary, they are still white she will
remain q maid and go into a con-
vent"
Having said this. he placed the roses
in her hand, bowed profoundly and
walked away. After going a short dis
lance he turned and saw her standing
regarding the roses with the express
sion of a saint. The expectation that
she would be his wife, taken together
with the impressive picture, warmed
his heart. Returning, he kneit before
her, took her hand, kissed it, arose and
resumed his walk to his own chateau.
In the Chateau de Cateret was a pri-s
vate chapel. Caroline took the roses
there and placed them on the altar.
She did not go to examine them till
just before the set of sun, which sank
In a blood red atmosphere. AS Caro-
line stepped into the chapel she saw
what she thought to be the suns a
shining through a window on the
roses. She went to them. 1t was
not the suns rays that colored them.
They We're really crimson.
Hearing a footstep behind her, she
turned and saw Edouard Approach
ing. he encircled her with his arms.
She raised her eyes and her face to his,
and he kissed her lips.
Thor>o ot fho o1<ow 49, ~ys~li.S Ito