The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-11-16
THE WRONG ROSE
BY RETTlNA HODGES

WOunu up niece HaZelS letter.
Uncle Harrie did not display Joy
GUS enthusiasm over the epistle. He
growled to his Office boy that he
would be "out," and added informally
that he didn't know when he would
be back. Fastening from subway tube
to racketing elevated, he reached in
due time the enormous cavern into
which the steam cars plunge from the
bright world without. A dispatcher
directed him to the platform on
which his niece's train was expected
shortly. He paced glumly up and
down past the closed grill.
He had only the vaguest recollec-
tion of Hazel Bush, his brothers eld-
est daughter. He had always consid-
cred her mother a silly woman TO
name the girl ''for a nut" especially
with the patronymic Bush. He recOl-
lected that Hazel had recently grad
uated from some institution of learn
ing-Normal school, he thought 1t
was-a school rAa'aml
The choking cloud Of engine smoke
and plunging stream of passengers
apprised the business man that it was
time to look for red rose-strangely
romantic symbol for bespectacled
school teacher. Even as he made the
uncomplimentary picture in his mind.
brilliant flash Of color appeared far
down the platform. 1t approached
rapidly, single, lOng-stemmed rose
fastened cleverly to the white silk
sweater of rather tall, slender young
woman In a summer silk frock, with
becoming, close-ftting hat.
She was not in the least the Hazel
of Uncle Harrie's memory, but his rea-
son was not working; the more emo
so strangely to this attractive vision
that incongruities were swamped. He
stepped forward, lifting his hat as he
questioned, "My niece, Hazel Bush?"
"Oh, Uncle Harriew murmured the
wearer of the red rose. in an oddly
shy tone.
A large woman in well-tailored
clothes came hurrying toward them,
but the newcomer laid a slim hand on
Harrie Bush's arm and imperceptibly
guided him away from that place and
the large woman. Outside, he asked
her If she wished to go sightseeing
or proceed at once to the hotel.
"Let us taxi around just bit" said
she. II am particularly anxious to
see the region back Of the State
House."
In taxi they slowly drove up and
down steep, quiet streets. shaded with
cent1ry-old trees; peeped into gardens
demurely edged with clipped box, and
through narrow Sits between coy cur
tains in old-fashioned windows, while
every now and then they caught en-
chanting glimpses of sparkling water
at the foot of this closely inhabited
hill which they were exploring.
Never before had Harrie Bush en-
joyed a ride so much. His young
companion was not only delight to
look at, but her mind matched her
charming person; she was well-read
and well-bred. Again and again a
queer twinge seemed to twist Har-
rie's subconscious mind: How could
this be the unattractive child Of his
unsuccessful brother? Could he have
forgotten more than he supposed?
At last It was time to drive to the
well-known hotel at which Uncle Har.
rie had engaged room for his niece.
She grew very quiet as they ap-
ha
! they entered when distinguished
| looking man, whom Harrie recognized
as the owner 6f the establishment.
rushed toward them.
Dorothy he cried, what in the
world happened to you? My secre-
tary came back from the station and
said you disappeared just as she was
coming to meet your
"why, you see, uncle, my friend. Mr..
| Bush met me, and asked me to make
that expedI ton to the State House
right away, and as you know that was
one of my reasons for coming here
to revisit the capital Of my native
| state" she broke Off as an official
summoned her uncle to an urgent call
upon the telephone.
Harrie Bush felt as II the floor were
giving way under him, but before he
could speak, boy PACED: "Mr. Bush,
Mr. Bushl" and he reluctantly put out
his hand for the telegram.
$50 sorry" 1t said. Had to re-
turn home. Position. Left train at
Springfield. Thank you for all your
trouble. Hazel Bush"
He looked up from reading this to
see a pleading glance from the eyes
| Of his late companion.
"Please forgive me-" she said. II
was sitting next your niece. and we
got to talking, and she told me about
meeting her Uncle Harrie. She seemed
to have forgotten you entirely, for she
spoke Of you as "a cranky old bach.
When she showed me the rose she in
tended to wear, felt sorry for you,
and then the telegram from her home
came. urging her to hasten back to Sc
cure ,sItion. She rushed Off at the
next stop. and saw she had left the
rose. 1t seemed too bad toto waste
Il. Are you vexed with me for wear
Asa