The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-02-03
The Hour Of the Rose
(Copyrieht. 1911. BY Associated Literary Pross)
By DOROTHY ARTHUR

at Twin Towers in Virginia, and he
at whom she had laughed had be-
come the fighter, the man Of action.
Bettina was actually introducing
them in her eager, girlish fashion
The bishops rich. deep voice broke
in on her words.
But we are old friends, are we
not, Miss Carruthers? Do you still
teach the roses how to GROVE"
He had drawn her a little apart
clean shaver, with his keen, merry
eyes. he made her think Of the young
rector. Most unaccountably, Miss
Carruthers lost her sense of humor
and her tender, beautiful lips quiv-
cred
Paul, Paul. how I wronged you!
Oh, don't be kind to me now and try
to smooth it over. l was a selfish,
untaught girl. l hope life has given
you in full measure all the happiness
you deserve"
The bishop smiled down at her
whimsically. What sort of happi-
ness, Rose? I am bachelor"
Here Bettina swept down on them
and bore the bishop away to the tea
table, where her mother wished tc
speak to him. Rose slipped back
to her room. She would not be
missed in the wedding rush of guests,
she knew, and she wanted to look
at the face the bishop had just seen
after 20 years. Unsparingly she
raised the window shade, and threw
back the softly tinted curtains. Then
| she moved the little dressing table
over in the full daylight and sat down
before it to look at herself. And
presently she put her head down
on her arms and sobbed quietly. al
most pityingly for the stupidity of
that girl who had taught the roses
how to grow 20 years before.
do you know, auntie,'' Bettina told
: her in strict confidence that night.
when she came in and sat on the
! floor before the fire to braid her
| is seriously smitten with Grace.
| Wouldn't it be interesting to have q
bishop in the family? Keep us all
in good order. think. He admires
Grace immensely, and she's 19-al-
most. How old is the bishop"
''Forty-four," answered Rose, smil-
ingly.
THAT won't do at all" But he is
such dear. and do want to keep
him in the family
$50 do I, Bette" laughed Miss Car
ruthers
But the bishop remained heart
whole and very circumspect. The
wedding was a junior function. and
the girls eddied around him like brook
wavelets around the roots of a sturdy
oak.
Miss Carruthers was to take an
early train. 1t was in the dim win
ter dawn that she found her way into
the southern express. and as it start
ed, saw the bishop placidly arrang-
/ ing his suit cases in the section
across from her. When he found out
ne was discovered he crossed the
aisle.
But I said goodby to you last
night" exclaimed Rose.
THAT WAS only good night, but l
could not contradict you, dear, for
there were too many spectators. You
know, Rose. I never liked spectators.
Therefore, am going down to Vir-
ginia with you
ITO Virginia? Why?"
] 81 am going into the old rose gar
den witk you, and ask you the same
question, I did 20 years ago, Rose"
But"
Now, don't scold, or plead, for l
am surely going. And, dear, If |
could nave seen your eyes and lips,
1 should have come years ago. They
have grown SO tender. so infinitely
tender, dear. Surely, they betray
you, they are betraying you now"
Rose looked at him wistfully.
'I3ut-the roses are gone"
The bishop laughed.
'SYou can't scare me OF this time
spGing is too near. We will brush the
snDw of the sundial and read the
o6I legend on it. See how well
1 remember it, dear. I only record
the hours that are bright Let US
forget our own lost hours and gather
tae bright ones while we may. Shall
ne. Rose?"
Don't ask me-" she answered.
softly. Il would rather tell you that
il the garden"