The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-08-04

SO many millions rubbed elbows that
II seemed to Noel that the very air
of the lighted rooms sparklcd with
gold dust
He saw Mildred dancing with Tom
Kenyon He had never been jealous
of Tom before but the episode OF the
yiolets had proved to him how weak
his own standing was. And she wore
On the bosom of her rOsc.pink gOwL
not his roses. but Tom Kcnyon's
white violots!
Noel made himself very wretched
that evening He did not dance often.
but he glOworcd In distant corners
where he might watch Mlldreds dark
head
TO approach her might be to invite
n snub When he did meet her II all
happened so suddenly that he could
not avoid the situation. He had wan.
dcrod 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 noor and Tom Kcnyon's
deep voice saving:
sit down here, MHeT IN bring
you an ice" Then he was goUu 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 rs he bent
above her hand She drew away and
looked ut him oddly.
I'm In q black mood. Miss Ward"
said Noel In fact I'm SO gruuchy
that | think ri clear OUT" His eyes
fingered on her upturncd face with
its wistful look that he had surprised
once or twice before Il hope you
are having delightful time he,
went on lnmoly
Her head dropped little. Yes, Il
is a lovely ball Thank you for the
beautiful roscbuds. Mr. Osmond they
are iust the color Of my gown"
No"I flushed darkly and his eyes
rested on the white violcts with a
sudden impulse Of angry despair he
touched the blossoms with tcnta.
tive foroNurrr
81 could not send YOU these" he
said hnrshly Il am too poor Miss
Ward sent what ! could afford 10
pay for You are very gracious to
accept the roses when you asked for
yioIcts. You see I've made a big
mis,akc-l'm not in It with the other
chaps cant play the g1mpi"
H.,
70 his arm ana was timjdly laid ON
his black sleeve. - asked you to
send violcts MIR Osmond, because
knew they were extravaganza" she
said quietly.
Osmond stared, puzzled, yet
strangely thrilled by her tone. What
do YOU mean. Miss Vard?" he asked
u wondered If you were like all
the rest Of them. living beyond your
means. spending more than you could
af1Ord 10 pay fOr-Or whether YOU
were what you appeared to he, work
ing vour way upward with the cour.
az" Of your convictions apparent In
your actions, | am not disappointed,
Mr. Osmond II you had sent me
white viulcts | am afraid would
have been quite Disguised with you
No"ls heart was boati,g hard
"Nut would have liked to have you
wear my roses" be was beginning.
whom she touched the FIRM 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 n garland across her
bosom above the violots After that,
events moved rapidly and with Mil
drod'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 cX-
planned that Tom Kenyon was On.
gagged to her sister Ethel. and Ethel
had pinned the white vIolets upon
MildrCd'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 Unc,1 Francis
Osmond offered him place in his
banking house. I'm order to learn
tho 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
race every day. but I'm disappointed.
aEreeably. my boy! happened to be
In that florist shop yesterday docking
AT orchids behind scrcen) and saw
you turn down the yiolcts and pay
for the roses like a man-yOu're the
right stuff"