Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-01-21
CORNER LOTS.
ny ROBERT EowE FLETCHER.

- ~ StSSN Ala U3kC
garden, picking lavender. Although the sun
shone. and TIE waters Of the bay sparkled,
and the distant Coroaados Islands and the
hills Of Mexico aoated in o blue haze before
her, Tulite had no eyes for the pretty picture
Her mind was occupied with wcishtier mat
tiers. Perhaps she Yves not even aware that
she herself made q much prestier picture
with her girlish figure relieved against the
white adobe house behind her, and her
shapely head poised On one side, as sho critic.
ally examined, with her big dark eyes, each
spray Of lavender. She may even have been
unaware that the young man walking on the
other side Of the road was evidently Of this
opinion, although when 10 made q mission
into q chuck holo full of dust, through hav.
ing his eyes on her, Tulita's rosy lips puck
cred Themselves up, and a suspicious little
movement OF her shoulders suggested that
she WIS not entirely ignorant OF tho young
mans mishap.
But, as has been said, her mind was en-
gagged with wcishtier matters, and scarcely
voucasatns a second glance at tho rctreatin.
figure OF the young ran, she entered TIE
whitc adobe house. Placing her fragrant
load upon a table, she took up an old copy of
Tho Fashion Guide, which she had left face
downward when she went to gather lavon-
der, and consulted it with a studious frown.
Then going to n chest Of drawers, she pro-
cured some odds and cads of ribbons, md,
seating herself with O business like air, pro-
cceded, with many references to tho instruc-
lions, to braid tho spriss Of lavender together
with the ribbons.
"These useful as well as ornamental little
articles" the book said, ct the end of its dis
QUESTION, ''arc rapidly becoming indispensa-
bio in every household. In fact, we know OF
several young ladies who derive a confcrta-
bic income from the manufacture and sale Of
lavender sticks"
II don't know" said Tulit., to herself. as
she regarded her first effort dispara-ingly,
sit. seems to mo that anybody would be a
fool to buy that. But, there, she continued,
moro hopefully, "you never can tell about
these Americans"
And, proceeding with tho work, sno soon
exhausted Ter lavender and ribbons, and had
instead aHcat little pile of Lavender sticks"
'.Madro dc Dios!' sail Tu!ita, as with her
chin on her hand shc gazed at The result of
her labors, 'if that little mother CT n.i.o was
to catch mo at this, how quickly those things
wou!l go out cftao Window and she laughed
softly at the thought. although" she con-
tiaucl, sit size can do sowing for money. why
should not l also work! AZ any rate, I must
have omo shoes, that is the truth" And
tln'ustlng her foot out, she leaned over tho
table to lcos at it. 1t was e dainty, slender
foo. with an arched instep, but ITO shoe upon
it was Enthusiastically, Lopclessly rasged.
".Ah! so hide yourself" said Tulita, severely:
"you make mo ashaMo ~
Thon sinking back on her chair, she rested
her chin Oh Lcr hand once moro, and thought:
'Ah, if only l could mako enou-l to buy a
pair Of shoes" And after awhi.o a tear
rolled down her check and foil on tao laycu-
der sticks.
Bat at this moment tho click of tho latch
on tic Garden cato mado Tulica spring to her
feet. VITA quick movement she swept tho
lavender sticks into u drawer, and when the
now conner entered tho room, Tulitu was be-
forc tho mirror singing to herself, while sho
braided her long hair, which had fallen as
suddenly ai u southern night.
us it thou, madre'' SIC said.
eyes, it is AL that is left OF me- said
tho lady who had entered, u woman whose
Sill handsome face WIS lt:cl by grief and
trouble. '..5aintcd ~.io..cr! but it is w2r.a in
tho sun Aao continued, tanning herself With
tAao iL.oic:1t, Cracefdl sweep OF the wrist pc
culicr to ~o1lcl OF tio south. Then, p~.uaia~
q moment, $40 elevated l.cr head and suiL:
What is that oc.or in the house, Ike SAGE
brushl'
Perhaps it is thi; bit OF lavender" sal.
Tul.ta, hiding her Cuilty face Behind ha,.
hair.
"Pa.3h.' said her mother. at is too
stro:.-. Throw It away"
A:d cs s.,o o5eycl. ruli.a's heart wen:
down into her r2@.ol boots at this uncX pee
nI .lt,-, ~, ~, Ir ti,, .In - ,-.1.
SAGE brush, indeed" 1t dishoartcncd her
50 That tho lea of attempting to derive q
comfortable income from the manufacture
md saIo OF lavender sticks" was ct oaco dis
missed il scorn. Even tho possibility Of nov
Shoes grow very faint.
But with tho next mornings sun the hope
and high spirits Of youth returned, and when
Tulita started to walk in to San Dic-o to
make some purchases for her mother, the
lavender sticks were hidden beneath her
Shabby little black mantle. Last night, after
Sac Lad gone to bed, she had lain awake for
ii least an Lolr decidin. where to offer then.
for sale. Sienna e. squills' dru: store was
the favored place. It was on the principal
street, and had tine large windows full OF
fancy goods. 1t would be very simple MAJ
ter to walk in and 0sk them to sell tho sticks
for her. Of course she would pay them some
thing for their trouble. Then, too, she had
heard that very morning there were an IN
usual number OF eastern tourists III town, and
she hurried her steps 80 as not to lose any
chances.
But when Tulita came in sight Of Sienna G.
Squills' establishment her enthusiasm ebbed.
Sho chided herself for walking SO rapidly and
getting heated and out OF breath. What
would tho people in the store think Of her?
Slower and slower grow her pace. until, or
irving in front OF her destination, she stopped
and looked at the display Of fancy goods in
tho window. Tho comparison was not favor
able to her lavender sticks.
Perhaps, after all,' thought Tulrta, 'tle
idea Of anybody wanting to buy such things
is absurd" Suppose SIENNA e. squ.Ls should
laugh at her! She concluded to think about
it a little moro ard walked On.
The further Tulita went, however, the
more her courage returned, until, telling
herself she was behaving ridiculously, she
resolutely retraced her steps until tho store
vas once more reached. But again she paused
irrcsolutely before the window. Then she
crossed the street to look in tho window OF q
book store that might perhaps be better
adapted to her purpose. Deciding against
the boo store, she returned to tho drug
store. Thcn tho dreadful thought occurred
to her than her movements must be attract
ing attention Tic policeman on the corner
had certainly looked ct her very hard.
What if he should speak to her! This idca
was so appalling that Tulita hurriedly
walked on down the street, without looking
to the right or left. 1t was not until she had
turned the first corner she ca.no to that she
recovered her eq%uani1aity. Then scolding her.
self severely for this panic, she continued on
slowly around the block, until once more she
found hersclf in front Of SIENNA e. Souil!s.