Literature.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 238, 12 October 1904, Page 4

Literature.

. ROSES, LILIES, AND RUE. Pretty Daphne Dorrell almost danced for joy as she looked at the lovely white satin ball gown spread on the bed and surrounded by all the tfainty etceteras that make up a fairy-like toilette. Lovingly she; fingered the-soft shimmering folds of satin which were almost hidden by clouds of foamy lace, Then she lifted the surall white shoes in which she would dance away into Lovo's paradise to-night. She turned ;to look in the glass and smiled back at the reflection of her own Bweet -face, with its big, starry, violet eyes, dainty little nose and mouth and firm white chin. The heavy (raves of chestnut hair met, too, With her approval—of course, »hc could not help knowing that she was Wry beautiful, and she twos not conceited about it, only glad, very glad, for Jack's sake.

Among tho costy silver things lying about on the dressing-table was a small spray of roses and lilies and &, letter—the cause ol all her joy. In it Jack asked her to be his wife, and Bhe was to give him her answer tonight.

" If, darling," he wrote, " you jfill give yourself to me, wear this spray of roses' and lilies to-night. I shall want to know your answer tho moment I see you. You are always qp surrounded with partners directly ypu conn* into the room, and I feel: I pannot wait to know my fate. Your Rearing of the flowers will mean 'Yes.' If you come without them—a possibility 'too terrible to contemplate—it will mean 'No.'" Sear, impatient Jack ! Of course, she would wear them ! Hadn't she been in love with him ever since their first meeting six months ago ! How ugry all the match-making mam-J mas would be, for Jack Deling was I Suite a " parti," and had been the ties-pair of many a chaperone for several seasons. Daphne, in her pretty pale blue peignoir, sat down by the fire, and ! putting.her little blue-sliiipeied feet OB U»i fender, gave herself up to happy thoughts while sue waited for ffatson.her maid, to come and dress her for the ball.

Presently, in answer to her " Come in," Watson entered, carrying a Small white box.

" For you, miss," she said, as she gave the box to h«r,young mistress. Daphne opened it, looked—then looked again. In It reposed a small spray of roses and lilies identical with, those Jack, had sent her earlied in the day ! It was evidently known that these were ihcr favourite flowers, indeed she 'had ; never been quite able ttj make up her mind which she liked better of the two, and Jack had often chaffed her about her rredecision.

Opening the accompanying note she read the words :

" I w a nt you to wear the enclosed flowers if you willgne a favourable answer to tho very important question I wish to put to you to-night. It you do not wear them I shall consider that I am mistaken in thinking that you return my love, and I •rill retain from shaking of what is nearest my heart.—Yours ever, "AHTHUR THEVOR."

How dreadful ! What was she r to do 1 She knew that if she wore the flowers: both Jack Dcring and Arthur Trevor would consider that she had said " Yes." On the other hand, if she did not wear them, they would both consider themselves refused. Was ever anything so annoying ? 3*B felt quite inclined to cry. She bad heard of people being " on the horns of a dilemma," and she realised that she herself was in that unenviable position. She felt unreasonable angry with Trevor for causing this difficulty, so much so that she seized the unoffending flowers and threw them on the fire, much to the

astonishment 0 f the usually iiuperturable Watson.

Then she went on considering what she hail better do- She thought of not going to the bail at all. Then sire pictured Jack's disappointment and her own. No ; that would never do. 15ut should she wear the flowers or not ? Not to weur them might mean losing Juck; she could not risk that.

In the end the exquisite pfcture which she made in her shining white gown was finished by the spray of roses and lilies nestling amidst the filmy lace at her breast.

The ball-room at Lady Cowan's was fairly full when Daphne entered, though she had arrived early in her impatience to see Jack. She was immediately the centre of a crowd of eager men all anxious fo her favours. She was troubled at not seeing Jack, and only gave mechanical answers to their rdiujuests, putting many off bj saying: "I'll see you presently." Suddenly a hand nus laid on her arm. She looked uj> expectantly and saw, not Jack, but Arthur Trevor.

" Sit this out with me," he entreated. Not knowing how to refuse she walked with him to a quiet corner arranged by a thoughtful hostess with, shaded lights and palms for sitterst-dut."

" Oh, my darling 1 '•' Trevor cried, taking her in his arms, " you are really, L really mine at last ! Directly I saw that you were wearing the flowers my soul was overwhelmed by can hold no more sorrow for me while I have you, my dearest." Daphne's tongue was tied. She had never thought it would be like this. Nor had she realised the depths of this man's love. She knew not what to say ; still she must let him know of his- mistake. " Oh, Mr. Trevor ! " she began. " Mr. Trevor ! " he hepeated smiling, " how fearfully formal for an engaged couple." "But you see," she was beginning again. " What do I see ? I see only you—you—you always. Mine now in the coming years ! Was ever a man sio blest? And now I really must confess that sometimes I have been, actually jealous of Jack Dering. I once even thought that you liked and encouraged him. Well, darling, I know better now," he cried with an exulant laugh as he pressed his lips to hers.

Daphne was speechless. Her senses almost deserted her. Mr. Trevor was so sure; the look on his face made it'simply impossible for her to undeceive him. She -sat as in a dream, Vaguely she heard him ask for the flowers which had been the mute signal of Ids happiness ; and she never even moved as he took them from her dress and placed them carefully in his pocket. Presently she thought of Jack ; he would help her out of this difficulty ! She brightened visibly and proposed that they should go. ! back to the ballroom; Trevor had been too filled with joy to notice her strange silence.

Together they rejoined tho dancers. In half an hour everyone knew that Miss Darnell was engaged to Arthur Trevor.

Tho. news greeted Jack Dermg on his arrival at Gowan House. Ho had been unavoidably detained and was only just going upstairs when he heard.-the matter being discussed by two men who were unknown to him. Half blinded by the shock, he turned back, and possession of his hat and coat, lie staggered from the house. All tte evening Daphne looked in vain for Jack. Then her heart hardened against him. He had not come ! Perhaps he repented his offer ! Any way she would bo glad, yes, glad, when he heard of her engagement. The next day, however, she relented towards hiui, and hoped against hope that he would come and tell her that something important had prevented his going to Lady Gowan's. Then, when she told him of Mr. Trevor's mistake, he would insist on her releasing herself. But he did not come.

One- evening three months later Jack Bering sat alone in his study in Clifford Street. It was his last night but one in England. He was going, abroad for a long time—per-' haps for ever.

He was quite feverishly anxious to get away from London before Daphne's wedding, which was to take place in a week from now.

He was debating with himself whether, he should cull to say goodbye to his dear lost love. He hud taken good care to avoid her, and they had not met since her engagement.

While he was atill making up his mind whether it would bo wise for him to see her, his man announced the arrival of a lady. A lady ! Oh, yes, of course ! Aunt Kate come to give him some good advice. Doubtless she had not sent in her name.in case he should light any of it. He smiled ruefully and told the man to show the lady in. Almost immediately a slender veiled figure entered the room. Not Aunt Kate certainly ! The veil was raised, and the wellloved face of Daphne Darrell was revealed. But such an altered Daphne! So pale and so unhapijy ! '■' Oh, Jack," she cried, stretching out both hands to him, " 1 had to come. 1 sdmjjly cannot go on with it. Of course, you know, it was all through the flowers ! " " The flowers ? " he cried, astonished.

"Yes; you remember 1 was to wear them if my answer to you was ■Yes.' Well, by ill-luck Arthur sent uie similar flowers with a liko request. You weren't there, and when he saw the flowers 1 was wearing for you, 0 f course he thought—and then somehow I couldn't tell him. 1 lot the opportunity go by, and then everybody knew, and you—you never came "

Here poor Daphce broke Into a flood of tears. Jack comforted her as well as he could, but he was wondering what was best to do.

" Daphne,'- he aaid gently, '-' go home now. I must tind a way.l will let you know in the morning it anything can be done." Daphne dried her tears and went home. As she entered the house u letter addressed to her in her fiance's handwriting caught her eye. She absently took it up and carried it uji to her room. She was thinking of Jack as she opened it; how lonely he had looked ! " Daphne, dearest," she read, " I cannot marry you | For weeks p a st I h a ve looked in vain for the lovelight that should be in your eyes. You do not love me! Why you wore the flowers and accented me I do not know. Perhaps you were coerced. I love you far too well to take you thus. Love's instinct is sure and I am quite sure now that you love Mr. Dering. Whenever his name is mentioned your faco wears a different look. Then your unhappinoss has not escaped me ; you often sigh unconsciously and seem weary. If I did not love you so dearly 1 should keep you up to your word : but I see happiness for neither of us if Ido so. Say to people that 1 jilted you, or that you would not marry me, just what seems best to you dear. If I am a little unhappy now, my darling, joy will como in knowing tha' 1 have done my utmost to secure tho happiness of one dearer to me than life—Believe mo, always your sincere friend, "ARTHUR TREVOR." Ho Jack and Daphne were married after all. Trevor did not die of a broken heart. After a while ho threw himself heart and soul into his scientific work, and apparently forgot that aj thing so troublesome as love existed. Still he never married ; and sometimes when he fcols lonely, ho draws out a fadod spjray of lilies and roses, and thinks of tho rue that he found amongst thorn,.