Middletown transcript., 1912-11-09

oHJ SUOuO4nSU4y u0ul6Q KNOW
ledge Of them. Avery still sen
the pink ones as of yore. Final,
one evening when he called sh,
was sitting before the fire with
glowing red blossom in her blut
belt. Avery's eyes opened.
What's this? he questioned
lightly. Wearing the wrong rose
Can a rose be wrong? Their
why send it? she parried.
I didn't send it-that's why it,:
the wrong rose-pink the colol
of love, the books say-my colol
for you. Whence the red?
They come every night-witt
no card. I believe you send 'em
Guy declares he doesn't-I sus
pected him. Then, lightly, she
changed the subject, while the
young mans wrath rose within
him. If Guy Hardin dared to
send her-then the bell rang, and
in moment Guy himself entered
the room. He greeted Avery
cheerfully, sat down, and simply
proceeded to stay, and, more.
over, to make the girl and the
girls mother glad that he did
He interested, amused, claimed
and got attention.
It was early when John Avery
rose and declared it time to 60.
So early? Wait awhile longer
and I'll go with you, Avery.
Guys voice was easy-a little
I'atronizing. He was the elder
and more successful man, and
the younger mans blood boiled.
He had come to ask-rather to
tell AYis-that he was going to
take her to the Scranton dance.
He could not believe his ears
when Hardin told ccolly, antici.
pating him:
I came hoping you would not
be already promised for that
Scranton affair, Miss Horton. |
want to present myself as a cam
didate for your escort-will you
give me a change? Or am I too
late? It was all SO easy and cas-.
ual. The girl laughed-she was
a little fascinated. And it
pleased her pride-bis manner.
his look.
You are first in the feld-and
therefore in favor. Guy. I'll
give you back your rose for an
answer. She tossed the red
flower to him. He caught it
-laughiRgly. He was too wise
70 make too much of any favor
given him.
Ny rose-since you honor me
with the gift-and a most adroit
answer! 1t makes me wish [ had
sent, really! Nothing like red
rose! IT. eans-at least three
dang oF me. Well, it's time
for me to take Avery home, | be-
lieve. He rose and the two made
their farewell. Mrs. Horton
said nothing, but she looked very
wise--she had seen something
now awake in John Avery's face,
speak from his eyes when he
looked at Avis, show in the tight.
ening of his jaw.
Late the next forenoon Avery
called, though he had to leave
his Office to do so. Mrs. Horton
told him Avis had gone for a
walk-with Guy Hardin-they'd
be back soon, with an appetite
for lunch. Would he not stav,
also? He refused.
I wish-she would not 60 about
with Hardin don't quite
Then the mothers cold look-as-
sumed, for she agreed with him
made him remember that he
had no right to criticise the
Of Avis, or, indeed, to
choose her friends for her. He
saw the pink flowers he had sent
the day before in their bowl-but
no red rose anywhere-she was,
OF course, wearing the red rose
the wrong rose! He came to
a sudden conclusion.
Mrs. Horton, he said, if you'll |
let me, I'll stay until 12 and wait
for Avis in the library-I want
just a word with her. I won't
stay to lunch-but when she
comes you will send her to me a |
moment ?
A few minutes past twelve
Avis Horton came, still in her
wraps, into the pretty library
Her face was aglow with exer-
else, her hair blowing about her
rosy ears, hereyes deep and blue.
She wore a red rose.
Here lam, John. Mother saws
you want word with me. Which
word is it? Is itin the dictionary
here? She came and stood near
him, merry, teasing light in her