Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-04-23
The Color Of
the Rose.

ASaCQa rose IrOm ueT CHAIR Will
an astonished expression, as the but
Ter announced major Melville" and
tall. square-shouldered man, with
a deeply bronzed face, entered the
drawing room. when did you ar
rive from India?" she cried, as their
hands met. "The day before yester-
day." he answered. How nice OF
you to come to see me so soon! Or"
she continued, as a faint smile
crossed his face, perhaps yoI have
MT come to see me! Anyhow, Elinor
will be here in few minutes. Do,
pray sit down-it must be quite four
years"
Nearly five," said Hugh, taking
chair. "The last time we met was on
Judith's wedding day. You know"
"By the bye" returned Agatha.
eve all rather expected that Judith's
marriage might possibly be fol-
lowed by-by another"
YES" murmured Hugh, with his
eyes on the carpet; II was hopeful
enough to share your anticipations.
Is Elinor all-all right?" he in
quired. ooh, dear, yes" The
same as ever?" he persisted.
"Of course, like the rest of us, she
is so much older" said Agatha with
a laugh. although you would
scarcely think so to look at her. A
little more sedate, perhaps, and ever
SO much sweeter. She has lived with
us the last eighteen months, since
her mothers DEATH suppose you
knew. Now. why were our expecta-
lions disappointed. Hugh?" she
asked.
He sat gazing down at the carpet
as If he were hesitating how to an
swer, but suddenly raised his eyes
to Agatha's face.
"The fact is" he explained lit
tie awkwardly, II was younger and
more ingenious in those days. L
well. didn't see my way to begin
fresh chapter without saying some
thing about that which had ended"
'Elinor was not interested?" sug-
gested Agatha.
II fancy It had kind Of interest
for her." said Hugh.
Anyhow. it didn't meet with her
APPROVAL"
That was scarcely possible" he
answered. But l had counted on
her magnanimity!"
"Oh, dear!" cried Agatha, "how
plainly you bring that day back to
me! I can picture you all in this
room again--everything is just the
same, isn't It? OF course, you were
Harold's best man. l can see you
in the church at his side. You wore
a white rosebud in your buttonhole."
Pink" said Hugh.
'But I am certain 1t was white"
she insisted.
II assure you," answered Hugh.
with much solemnity. that the rose
was pink"
AS he was speaking, an electric
bell was heard to ring; and after
momentary hesitation, Agatha inter.
rupted him by rising from her chair
Without a word Of explanation she
left the room before he could find
time to reach the door. Running
downstairs she met in the nall girl
few years younger than herself.
and as much like her as an extreme
ly beautiful cousin could be like a
rather plain one. "Elinor!" whis-
pered Agatha. resting hand on her
arm, Hugh Melville is in the draw
ing room" For a second Elinor, TAX
en- completely by surprise, stood
stock still, pressing hand to her
Geek, while all the color faded from
her face.
"He--he has been asking about
you," added Agatha. and Elinor
threw back her head little disdain-
fully.
Very kind of him." she answered
having recovered all her self-con-
troll "Shall we go upstairs?" she
was sweeping into the room in Aga
tha's wake, her tall figure erect,
offering Hugh. her finger tips.
ooh. Major Melville" she cried,
and during the next few moments
conversation seemed to lag. Hugh ap-
peared to be suffering from the most
extreme depression, Elinor looked
bored to death, and even Agatha was
tongue-tied, until she perceived the
urgent necessity Of venturing re-
mark Of some kind.
"Elinor." she exclaimed, Hugh
and have been having a small dis
pute."
Already" asked Elinor.
About the color Of a fiower!"
Elinor turned her head languidly,
fixing her eyes on the large. shallow
bowl of chrysanthemums In the mid
die of the table on her right hand.
Which one?" she asked. "The one."
answered Hugh. that l wore at Ju-
dith's wedding-the last time I was
here you know"
Elinor lifted her dark eyebrows
Ibid you wear flower?" she in
Quired.
"A pink rosebud" he returned.
II protest that 1t was white" said
Agatha, congratulating herself on
having succeeded In breaking the
ice.
you must both have really the
most marvellous memories" an
swered Elinor, In a tone which sug-