Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-09-28
SCARLET TRUMPETS


"A beautiful room; 1t was very hot
outside. even where fountains played
ln the garden. The room someway
was indicative Of Uncle Horace. rest.
ful In Its quiet dignity.
Alan had been mentioned az one Of
Uncle Horaces heirs, the property to
be shared with certain young woman,
whose mother the elder man had loved
long ago. and had failed IN winning.
Alan had recently met this young
woman and had not been especially
impressed. Cheerful and pretty, too,
It must be admitted. was Miss Nora
Barry. She was now Uncle Horaces
guest In the big house to which Alan
had come through all his school vaca-
tions to pass happy days.
Uncle Horace veiled his disappoint-
ment when Alan decided against law,
which was his own profession, but he
could but be gratified in his fayorite's
success in the business he had chosen.
Other young women were present al
this house party which Uncle Horace
this great home, too often silent.
Grafton. his uncle's law partner, was
also there, dependable man among
men, attractive to women.
Preoccupled. Alan walked the
length Of the living room. Who, he
medItated. might feel entirely sure
Of Lois? Today assuring him. her
dark eyes hurt by his doubting-of her
loyalty. Tomorrow laughing her mock
cry across the shoulder Of Grafton--or
across some other favored mans shoul
der--wlth whom the will O. the wisp
happened 10 be walttng. Saying to
Alan later:
"Why. my dear, don't you know I'm
not to be beiieved7-when can't be
lieve In myself"
Alan paused before the empty fire.
place where in winter logs gave forth
their warmth. Now the fireplace was
filed with flowers in tall vases-scar
let flowers nblaze in limitations Of the
fire that warmed. "Scarlet trumpets,'
his uncle called them, straight. erect.
glowing. Alan smiled at the fancy;
they reminded him Of the commanding
beauty of Lois. Her voice came to
him as he sat bowling his head on his
arms crossed on a wide carved table
Across Alan's troubled senses came
soothing perfume-remlnscent in
some pleasing intangible way OF boy
hood days and happy memories. He
lifted his head; on the table before
him In a violet vase was a bouquet of
heliotrope bloom-hellotrope that his
mother had loved and worn on the sim
pie muslin dresses. Alan remembered
The thought Of her brought tears to
his eyes. Were there women like her
still in this worldG Yes, pretense.
Alan thought bitterly. Was not Lois
and her kind ever pretelding7
He could sec in memory his young
mothers hands on his fathers head.
soothing, encouraging. Alan's father
had known reverses-struggle. Aims
sweet mother had been the great com
pensation. True. understanding. un
selfish.
"You make ne mad" came the
rollicklng song-"You make me glad
lit ended in a crash of keys and
Lois wild laughter. Tears were
creeping through Alan's fingers-how
long one tender memory had power to
stir. Some one came into the room;
he arose hurrledly. The scent Of hell
otrope lncreased-the young woman
who entered wore a knot of the Hover
on the breast OF her white frock
She smiled up at him, and her vOlct
was softly pleasing "You remember
me? ] am Nora Barry Your uncle
asked me to bring tea to him here; he
has returned from firing game. viii
you join usr Alan was confused,
awars that tears were visible in his
eyes. Also, he knew that Nora Barry
in kindly sympathy. affected not te
see. them. What must she think Of
him? Men do not weep over perplex
titles Of business.
Uncle Horace came in smiling his
enjoyment. MY two favorite young
folk he snld. "and tempting refresh
ment spread before us. What NOR,
may the heart of lonely old man de
sire?" Later he looked across the table
to where Nora Barry sat my DEAR
said Uncle Horace, you grow mort
like your mother every day"
Alan watched the glow that over
spread the girls sweet face; he was
seeing for the first time that long age
sweetheart Of his uncle's, whose loss
he had ever deplored. "She cared for
the otheF man." Uncle Horace ex
planned with certain proudness, "and
Nora Barry was too true TO marry fol
my money"
So. through the years Of his disap
pointment Uncle Horace was faithful
to his ideal And Nora Barry grew
more and more like that mother, Uncle
Horace declared.
q will play for you" Nora offered
Alan went and leaned over the grand
piano at the end OF the room. He
had not known that music had such
power to soothe. Slowly he walked
to the fireplace where the scarlet
trumpet famed. at has no perfume
to last" he said, irreverently.
'But" Uncle Horace answered. "jusi
a fare Of color to hold the eye-at
tractlve for a time"
Alan went back to the piano. Nora
raised her blue eyes to hls-anxlety
In their gaze lest his mysterious sor-
row had not beea dispelled. Sudden