Cecilia of the Pink Roses

by Katharine Haviland-Taylor

"Who?"

"Your sister, of course. Tell her not to have any one else there. I've got to see her, John,—got to! Honestly, John, I've got to. I've got to see her a little while alone. I really must."

"I think you've made it plain," replied John. "You say you must see Cecilia. You did mention that, didn't you?"

There was no room for anything but heaven in Stuyvesant. He nodded seriously. "Yes," lie answered, "I must! Really, I've got to, John!"

John howled. "The heat!" he explained, then he sobered.

"Look here, Stuyv," he said, "did you say that?"

"What?" asked Stuyvesant, then he remembered, and for the first and last time made a certain utterance. "She lied," he said quietly, and then, "Oh, my gosh, I'm happy! I believe I'm going crazy."

"Oh, no!" replied John, "impossible."

"Yes, John?" said Cecilia.

"Stuyv's coming out with me," she heard him say.