The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-08-26
THE FLOWER GIRL.

"She has got face like one of her
rose buds" said Mr.. Fitzalan to his
friend, Frank Calverly.
''I have heard of her more than once, ="
returned Frauk. "'The pretty flower
girl, people call her, don't they? Old
Frixham has doubled his custom since
she came here"
''And the best of it ALL" added Fit
zalan, with q laugh, sis that she is quite
unconscious of her own attractions-a
little country lassie, who thinks only of
her business, and never dreams that she
herself is the sweetest flower of the as.
sortment."
Lets go in and buy Marechal Mel
bud and two or three sweet verbena
leaves said Calverly. sI should like to
see this modern Flora of yours"
Dorothy Penfeld stood behind the
counter of florists store, sorting over a
pile of fragrant blossoms which lay on a
tray of damp green moss. Trails OF
smilax wove their green garlands up to
the ceiling; heaps of gold and rose
petalled buds lay in the window; drifts
of purple heliotrope perfumed the air,
and white carnations lay like hillocks of
snow against the pains of the window,
while spikes of perfumed hyacinths and
cape jessamine flung their subtle scents
upon the air. And Dolly herself, with
her round, dimpled face, pink cheeks
and soft brown eyes, exactly the shade
of the ripping hair, which was brushed
simply back from the broad, low brow,
was fitting accessory to the scene
She looked up as the two gentlemen
entered, and "a sort of crimson shadow
overspread her face for second.
"Have you got one of my favorite
buttonhole bouquets made up, Miss
Penfeld?" Fitzalan asked, with care
less bow and smile.
Il don't know" said Dolly, softly
"a rosebud, sprig of heath and two or
three myrtle leeaves- that is what yol.
like. No, have none made up Just at
present; but can tie up a bouquet in
half minute, Mr.. Fitzalan."
One for me TOO. if you please" said
Caverly, touching his hat.
"Just the same? ?"
Dolly lifted her long eyelashes, which
were like fringes of brown silk and gave
him a shy glance.
"a little different please. Consult
your own taste, Miss Penfield."
81 like the double blue violets," said
Dolly, gently, with geranium leaves"
"Then they shall be my favorite flow.
ers, also, said Caverly, gallantly.
The gentlemen had hardly taken their
leave when old Frixham, the florist.
Oustled in, with round, red face, shining
bald head, and an air of business all
over him.
isn't it time that you had the theater
bouquets ready ?" said he, looking
critically and moving glass of freshly
cut callas out of the level sunset beams
which at that moment fell like sheaf
of golden lances in at the deep bow win
dow.
81 shall have them ready directly"
said Dolly, starting from her revery.
"The flowers are all sorted out"
I'VE have too many carnations on
hand, said the florist, fretfully; 'sand
those cape bells are SO much dead loss.
Let the man from the greenhouse know,
please; there is a demand for half
open rosebuds and forced lilies-of the
valley"
"Yes," said Dolly, dreamily, ''I will
tell him when he comes"
The closed country wagon. with it's
flowers, came early in the morning. long
before the fat florist was out of bed. and
while the silence almost of an enchanted
land lay upon upper Broadway.
But Dolly Penfeld was there, fresh
ening up the stock of the day before
with wet moss and cool water, and clip
ping the stems of the rosebnds.
"No more carnations. john" she said
briskly; "nor amaryllis flowers; and we
want plenty of rosebuds and Dlies of-the-
valley. We have an order for % extra
bouquets for dinner-party, and I hope
you have brought plenty of camellias
and scarlet geraniums, and those bright
flowers"
II thought perhaps" said honest John
Deadwood. who measured six feet in his
stockings, and had the face of an amiable
giant, You might want to go back with
me to-day, Dolly. Your aunt has come
on from Kansas, and there's to be dance