CHAPTER XVIII. A FLORAL OFFERING.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 139, 30 January 1886, Page 5

CHAPTER XVIII. A FLORAL OFFERING.

"Come homo early, Bicb," Miss Waldemar said, as he was about starting out m Tuesday morning - the^ day that they had promised to dine with Mrs Campbell "The carriage is to come for us at five," she added, "and it will be so much pleasanter for us to go together." He promised that he would get away from the office as early as he could, and went out, unconsciously humming a strain of that old ballad, "Gentle Annie ;" while j if the truth had been known, he rather regarded the dinner at the Campbells as a somewhat irksome engagement. But he left his work early to please his Aunt Audrey, and on his way home stopped at a florist's to choose something pretty for her to wear. He always selected roses of some kind for her. Somehow he imagined they suited her calm, stately beauty better than any other flower. To-day, however, he hardly knew what to get". There was every variety to choose from, and the very profusion made him hesitate. But while he was fingering an d looking, he caught sight of a dainty little bouquet of yellow and Scotch roses. In sn instant he hadjthem in his hand, while the colour deepened in hia cheek*

"I will take these," he said, "and you may give me three or four of those halfblown Jacqueminots : put them in separate papers, please." While the florist was doing them up, Rich drew a card from his pocket and wrote something upon it. Tuoking this inside the paper that contained the Scotoh roses, he paid for the flowers and left the store Instead of going straight home, he soon turned into a cross street, walked the length of two blocks ; stopped before the last house of the second block, ran up the steps, and rang the bell. A worn, weary-looking woman answered his call. "Is Misg Hunting at home?" Rich asked saluting her courteously. < No ; Miss Hunting would not return for two or three hours yet, he was told. He knew this well enough, but politeness had forced the inquiry from him. " Then I will leave this with you for her," he said, handing her the paper containing the floral offering. She took it with a word of acknowledgment, and bestowed a setrching glance upon the handsome young man as she did so ; but Rich, unheeding it, turned away with a low bow and hurried home. When Annie Hunting returned, tired and foot-sore, from her days work in the close rooms at Lord and Taylors she found that white-sheathed offering upon her table. Hastily unfolding it, she cried out with pleasure at the sight of the sweet, dainty flowers. She stooped to pick up the card which had fallen upon the floor, and read, with scarlet cheeks : " Miss Annie Hunting, with compliments of R. W.» For a moment she stood absolutely motionless ; then gathering her flowers in both hands, she drooped her head until her face almost touched them, while great hot tears rolled over her flushed cheeks. "He is kind ! — kind ! But how strange ! oh ! I wißh "—the words died upon her lips before the incoherent yearning of her heart was expressed ; then, with the tears still raining thick and fast', she tenderly put her treasures in water, lingering long over them, as if she found healing and sympathy in their delicate beauty and fragrance. Meanwhile Rich had reached home and found Miss Waldemar dressed and waiting for him. She never wore anything but black upon "state occasions," and to-day she was lovely in beautiful black lace worn over black silk — some of the glory of her wealthy days modernised a trifle. It was made en train, and as the rich folds swept out behind her graceful figure, she looked like some stately lady of royal blood. | Her ornaments were a costly set of dullred gold earrings, necklace, and bracelets, which made a pleasing contrast with her otherwise rather sombre attire, •' Aunt Audrey, you will be perfect when you have what I have brought you," Rich said, his whole heart in his admiring: eyes. Removing the wrapper from his flowers, he laid the vivid blossoms against her dark corsage " Oh, how beautiful !" Audrey cried, her face lighting with pleasure. *• Rich, I knew you would bring me something ; but what kind fairy told you just what I needed ?" "You would look lovely in anything; but I took a fancy to these, because they are so perfect. They do put the finishing touch to you, he added, in a tone of intense satisfaction ; " I believe you are the handsomest woman in New Work". "Oh, fie! what an unblushing flatterer What would Grace Campbell siy to that I wonder?" Miss Waldemar cried, laughing heartily. " Miss Campbell is very nice, but I hope it is not treason to say that I prefer Miss Waldemar'B colours to hers," returned Rich, gallantly. "You are an incorrigible boy ; but go and get ready, and be sure you make yourself as attractive as possible for the occasion," Audrey commanded, but with a very tender light in her eyes. When they arrived at the Campbells they found a dozen or more guests already gathered - a charming little company, some of them old acquaintances of Audrey'?, while there were just, young people enough to make it pleasant tor Bich and Grrace. That young lady was brilli.vnt in a beautifully embroidered India mull garnished with crimson poppies, and she was also in her happiest mood. She greeted Rich with a half shy, wholly cordial manner, and introduced him to her friends with a graco that was peculiarly her own. Whether by design or otherwise, it was allotted to him to take her out to dinner, and he was forced to confess to himself that ehe was one of the most entertaining ladies he bad ever met. '•Come and let me show you some pictures that papa brought irom abroad," she said when dinner was over and they were passing through the great hall on their way back to the drawing-room ; " that is," shooting a smiling inquiry out of her great ! dark eyes, "if you care for pictures— some ! people think it stupid employment to look ! at them." I "I do like pictures— good ones ; and I am cure I shall find nono but such here," Rich returned. Returning to the drawing-room after an absence that was remarked by many of the guests, she promptly obeyed the wishes of her friends, and taking her seat before the piano, gave song after song with a moat exquisite voice, as well as with rare feeling and artistic accuracy. (To be Continued.)