The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-08-21
ROSES IN DECEMBER
BY MILDRED WHITE

engagement, ne settled uOWn 10 uH Hu-
sorbed life Of business, Peggy just
could not understand 1t. At first, she
was too proud to inquire; then as eve
ming passed with Alan absent from
her side, she reproyed him with the
fact of his indifference. Alan was
grIeyously surprised.
"Why, dear" lie said, don't You
realize that am hurTying now as fast (
as can to make nest for your
For the time being Peggy was pla-
Gated. Then came the occasion of the
Wellstown picnic, and Alan failed to
arrive.
Alan had forgotten; big business |
deal had come up Unexpectedly at the
last moment, he explained 10 take his
attention. He would be. with her as
soon as car could bring him. But
angrily Peggy replled-she would go
on with the crowd and she went, only
1t was not exactly the crowd who ac-
companled Peggy, but one particular
and delighted member.
Roy Ralph had long enviously re-
garded the lucky, as he called him,
Alan. Roy was jolly and generous,
and--prompt. Thereafter he frequent
ly and joyously substituted for the alb
sent and unknowing Alan.
For If he does not care to inquire
how amuse myself during his salts
fed hours in the city, why should
enllghten hlmi" Alan's fiancee asked
herself.
One Of the crowd, hailed the busily-
engaged young man one day.
'Look here, Alan, how long do you
intend to let Roy make hay While your
sun shlnesf"
Though Alan laughed, the thought
rancored.
"What did he mean27 he questioned
Peggy.
She laughed, "That you have rival,
Alan"
"But an engaged man may not have
a rival" he answered troubled, you
belong to me, Peg. That's why I'm
working so hard to earn home"
Better think Of me. then, once in
awhile" she smilingly warned him.
Alan kissed her, comfortably as
sured.
But when again she was obliged to
call him up regarding the entertain
ment course, and their tickets engaged
for the evening, Alan concerned with
venture that promised much, an
swered abruptly, that he would be un-
able to go, and she must provide her
self with other friendly escort. Peggy
was more than annoyed; tears, not
only of disappointment, coursed down
her cheeks. Love was not so lax, she
told herself bitterly-Alan did not
really love her. Then indignation
turned sorrow to anger.
i "When I shall call you again, Alan
Moore" she said, "or when | shall
want to see you troubling Peggy
considered an impossibiIity. Roses
will, grow In December. Tin our gar
den," added the flushed and turbulent
Peggy
The telephone receiver snapped into
Its hook. But the very, very strangest
thing was, that Alan appeared to take
her at her word.
And when Roy again obllglngly Of
fered to take Alan's place as escort
to his surprise and her own, he was
CURLY refused.
Moreover, as weeks passed, the girl
seemed to lose interest in the gay little
affairs that had formerly delighted
her. Here also, Alan had deliberately
absented himself.
II was two months since she had
seen Alan's face. But of course, she
told herself miserably, he never had
loved her. otherwise, 1t would be i'm
possible for him to stay away. And at
this time Alan was telling himself, and
as miserably, that of fcourse Peg new
or had loved him. Otherwise why
should she have used such a hopeless
smile, as roses growing In December,
In her garden.
Peggy, coming around the corner be-
meath Alan's office windows, looked
ND with the old hope that ever prompt
ly turned to disappointment. He was
not near the window,
Now, Alan's business absorption was
TO dull an aching heart. SO, went the
sad world untll-December. Both
Young people in their separate places
thought Of Peggys idle words. Peggy
by her own fireslde, jumped up hastily
an do it," she remarked to the
amazed cat dislodged from her knee
Alan banged shut his office desk.
I'm going home now" he Informed
his stenographer.
Upon the way home he was obliged
to pass Peggy's house. Tonight vel
low placard tackled on the verandf
post. forcibly attracted his attention
from some distance, He passed close
10 the yeranda bost the placard reat
simply and ast6nishingly.
"Alan,--please so to the back door
Slowly, wonderlngly, Alan went A
first he was unable to take in the sit
uatlon. Then, illuminatingly, it burs
upon him. For in peggy's garden il
December, a rose tree grew in its dec
Grated pot Masterfully Alan rang th
rear door bell; instantly, Peggy wa
- bte e,dn--i, another moment, in hi