The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-08-31
THE ROSE WALTZ
BY HARRISON CHASE.


Ted Gibson sat dlsconsolately on the
terraced lawn sloping to the lake In
front Of the country club. From the
direction Of the ballroom came the
sound of soft music. and Ted, recognize
ing the waltz the stringed orchestra
was playing.
Months had passed since he had last
heard it. 1t had been at the junior
prom at college, the last dance of
series Of the most wonderful dances
he had ever known. Sylvia had been |
there.
He had planned to make that prom |
turning point In hts life. Sylvia had !
promised to be his guest and had smil-
ingly consented to give him twelve of
the twenty-four dances. At the end
of the last number on the program
Ted had planned to ask Sylvia to mar
ry him.
The affair had started of with ev-
cry promise OF success. They had
motored to Kingston In the long, low
runabout with just enough room for
| two. 1t was a beautiful night with a
full moon casting long shadows over
the quiet roads and touch Of spring
in the evening air. 1t was an ideal
night for Ted's purpose. He seemed
to sense In Sylvia's attitude the kind
of answer he wished for.
And then Sylvia had spoken. She
didn't say much-only single SEN
tence--but after the words had fallen
from her lips the glory of the night
seemed lost.
"Tom Ainsley is going to be at the
PROM" she had said.
Tom Ainsleyl Teds hands had
gripped the wheel more tightly. Aims
ley was the name which gossip had
linked with that Of Sylvia's. For two
l years, while Ted was away at college,
the two had gone about together al
most constantly. There had been ru-
mors of an engagement which Sylvia
had ignored and Ted, returning to
Westwood, had taken the girl at her
word and had pressed his own suit. A
short time later Tom had left for the
West, and Ted and the girl to whom
rumor said Tom was engaged had been
In each others company continually
The announcement that Tom was to
, be present at the prom had filed Ted's
heart with vague misgivings. For him
: the remainder of the ride had beer
p without charm.
They had reached the gymnasium
just before the first dance. Ted hat
left Sylvia at the door and had hurried
into the smoking room, and when h
had returned to the ballroom he ha
found Sylvia and Tom In earnest cor
versation. The girl had turned to hir
with bright spot in each cheek.
"Tve given Tom three of you
Dances" she had said. ave haven
seen each other for months, and
knew you wouldn't mind"
Ted had nodded.
(which ones are they?" he ha
asked. "You might tell me so that
can check them off,"
''Tha third, sixteenth and twent.
third" she had answered.
The evening had worn away. tn
girl had noticed Ted s rather n
! strained silence and had chided hiI
abQt1t 1t. But he had refused to r.
I'D to the Gliding and finally Sy
too, had grown quiet. And the
wenty-third dance had arrived.
he next dance Is the last" TIE
old her just before Tom had CON
lain her. "Its Mighty Like
and that Is our dance, yc
!"
es, that Is our Dance" she ha
ated absently.
1t it hadn't turned out to be the
+, after all, for when the mus
ed Sylvia had been walking alor
IL the shaded campus paths wit
E had seemed sincerely sorl
It it.
didn't know the dance had begu
she had explained. ave wake
Tar, and I'm sorry that l MISE
You believe me, don't you?"
ID had told her that it hadn't ma
SO very much, but during Il
home that night he had not pr
d.
nat was six months ago, and sin
prom Ted and Sylvia had not on
h together for more than five mi
S at time.
The yearning to talk with Sylv
- ca}ne to him with renewed force as
ge sd on the porch of the Country cl'
e. listening to the strains Of Nigh
er Like a Rose" So he sat, his chin
o. his hands, looking with unseeing ey
no over the rolling green of the golf linl
rd And then figure suddenly appear
le~ beside him and q soft voice called /
u name.
He looked up almost unbelieving
for Sylvia was standing so near tt
= he could touch her. He leaped to
feet.
"What are you doing here?'
asked, blankly.
do you really want to know VIII,
go came here?" Sylvia asked.
W "Yes."
W. at was because this waltz alwa
-h0 RI