The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-07
Era the Flower Girl.

| TloWSTS, ny0 cents a punch. 4nis cry
from the pale, tremuous lips OF a
maiden of IS summers. It was on crowd
ed city street, and the heat was so intense
that people were longing TO be once more
| in the seclusion of their homes.
] viii take ten punches, said polite
voice in her ear. She turned with start
Ten ounchesI She had not sold a bunch
| today. With deft fingers she selected the
freshest and best punches, and with
look Of gratitude handed him the flowers.
| Erla Seymons was a lovely girl, who
did all in her power TO help her feeble
| mother. Some days she sold flowers.
As Harold Nelson and the young lady
with him (who was his sister went on
| their way Nena remarked: What
beautiful girl! What pity she has 10 sell
| flowers on the street,
Harold in his heart echoed her words.
This was not the first time he had seen
Erla Seymons
And Ezra forgot 10 cry, FLOWERS, five
| her brown eyes fixed on vacancy, think
ing of what or whom? Thinking, uncon-
! sciously. of the young man whom she
| thought so kind.
That night in the library Of the elegant
mansion of the Nelson's Nena remarked:
Harold and l saw such a lovely girl; he
was just smitten, and on flower girl,
| too"
''Nena, don't talk in riddles, but tell me
| about it, said her mother, gently.
Then Nena, in her light-hearted fashion.
| related their experience of the morning.
All through this recital the Hon. Fred
erick Nelson listened intently, but said
nothing; he had also seen Erla, the flower
girl, and remembered her.
The next day as he was about to hail
car. his ear caught the sound of voice
saying: Flowers, five cents a bunch"
That's the girl" ne puttered, 'she is
the picture of Nella."
Why is the man talking in this manner?
We shall have to turn back and read the
past pages of the history of the present
Hon. Frederick Nelson.
Years ago. al college, he had room
mate, young man about his own age,
named Leroy Seymons.
Leroy was youth of steady habits and
good character. They soon became fast
friends and college chums But now
something happened 10 cause drifting
apart of the two. At an entertainment
given by the students they both first met
Nella Stanton. Unlucky day! Both met
to love. One night in secrecy of their
room they agreed that each should do his
best to win, and that neither should in
terfere with the other.
Nella favored Leroy and when he pro-
posed was accepted. When Frederick was
told by Leroy that he had been accepted
the blow was hard, and nearly stunned
him. Then, as ne fully realized that
Nella, who had loved nigh unto madness,
loved Leroy, his grief and rage knew no
bounds.
He accused Leroy of treachery, saying
he had not given him fair play. He ended
by calling him traitor to the holy bonds
L, ~ o1l
to see his face again. Stunned by such
treatment, Leroy uttered not word, but,
collecting his things, left the room.
From that day to this Frederick Nelson
and Leroy Seymons had not looked into
each others faces. Shortly after Fred
erick read Of the marriage of Leroy and
Nella.
All this time Leroy and his young wife
were living happily together in distant
city.
One year, two years, passed, and the
couple were blessed with a beautiful little
daughter whom they named Erla.
She was the pride of their hearts; all
their thoughts and plans were for her
alone. One day a cruel blow fell upon
the head of Nella- Leroy had been killed!
Oh the terrible anguish! But she would
be brave for her little baby girls sake.
After their money was gone Nella hired
some cheap rooms and supported herself
and Erla by her needle. And now she
depended on her daughter for support, as
her fragile health prevented her from
even this means of support. Meanwhile
Frederick had married a refined girl
named Lottie Ashley, who, after the first
grief and disappointment passed away, ne
loved. His one desire now was TO see his
old friend and ask his forgiveness. In
stead of boarding the car he retraced his
steps and walked to where Erla was
standing.
Il will take the whole basket" he said
in a business-like tone. Erla could have
fallen at his feet for gratitude She had
sold only two punches all this morning,
and now to sell the whole basket, and
mamma so much needed some little lux
ury, and now she would have it. Happy
tears filed her lustrous eyes, and she said
in a tremulous voice: "Oh, sir, you are
so kind"
Not yet sure as to the correctness of the
deal which had taken such possession of
him, he asked in low voice. in which the
eagerness was hidden: What is your
name?" MY name is Erla Seymons,
sir This was the chance he had coveted:
it was his time. ''Erla Seymons!" he
calculated in well-feigned surprise; 81
used to know a man by the name Of Le-
roy Seymons."
THAT was my own dear father" re-
piled Erla in a choking voice.
Where is he now?" he asked In excite
ment which he could not suppress.
He is dead, sir" This was indeed
hard when ne thought himself so near his
desire.
And your mother?' he asked, with
hesitation.
She is feeble"
Two years have passed. Mrs. Seymons
has regained her health and is living
comfortable thanks to her friend, Fred
erick Nelson.) ErIa is a lovely, talented
maiden of 20
There is TO be a grand wedding The
happy couple are Harold Nelson and Erla
SeymonS.- Post.
0ora Has Euau0h