The age-herald., 1899-04-30
[ -UP=TO=DATE FLORA.
KATHARINE HOPKINS CHAPMAN


 amazed look brought forth explanations. also Mir. Grayson's card. In return, he in- troduced himself as William Davenport Of Selma. and his sister, Miss Davenport
 q see you have been praeticing for the flower fete. This you must know he aaa- ed, "s the latest device these fair exlor- tioners have hit upon to make money Tor the church"
 "A prettier one they could not have found," he answered with evident sheer ity, land when does this affair take p.ace?' Just week from today" and while Miss Davenport was giving him other de- tails, Gilbert was mentally calculating that in a week he could enjoy the sights of Mobile and get back to Selma and get to see that flower parade-and Flora.
 Then Will discovered from his badge that Gilbert was a Harvard man, sand as he himself claimed Yale as his Alma Mater they were soon deep in the comparative virtues of the two universities. Then MT. Graham drifted into an account of ms idle wanderings through Dixie land, and they were on quite friendly terms when the boat whistled.
 Realizing his distance from the wharf, Gilbert was about to make a hurried adieux when, Will said:
 Just wait a minute" and stepping into the trap, opened the back seat, adding:
 
 boat, as Captain King is one of her most abject slaves"
 So the captain, and even the deck hands, were refreshed by a glimpse of fair Grace Davenport and her flower parade equip page. MT. Grayson received a smiling bow from her ladyship and a hearty hand shake from Will, who said:
 "If you ever happen in Selma, look me up without fail
 An! Will, don't fret about that! For with MT. Grayson's casual assurance that pos sbly he may" and that is one of the great aims in life to him already
 Captain King had now found new theme, and one entirely to his listeners taste. The Davenport history, past and present, was soon familiar to Gilbert Gray son; their power before the war, their hard struggle afterward, when the only son returned from the army, shattered in body and broken in spirit. Things went from bad to worse in his lifetime. After his death, Will, then a mere lad, went 10 work with the vim and energy of youth, and soon had things in better shape. He then went to college and after his graduation returned to run their numerous plantations successfully.
 And Grace! what words could the old captain find to express his admiration fer her devotion to her -4RJapd.nStner her pride in her e5foffier, her love for their old 'lfofIe? Two years at college had served to rub away the prejudices and broaden her freshness and frankness that had been her charm ever since childhood, and so an ad nauseoUe-to anyone not in Gill; bert Glayson's hopeless condition.
 At Mobile they parted the best of friends. and then Gilbert tried to interest himself Tn the fascinating old gulf city, with It's crumbling evidences of Spanish and French occupation. But when he drove down the shell road phantom trap, covered in pink azalias held all his attraction and from the deck of each passing vessel fairy hS- ure in grey beckoned him on.
 It was with great relief, therefore, that he boarded the train for Selma, arriving just in time for the flower parade as he could see from the dashing turn-outs in which the fashion of the little city was taking itself out to the driving park. Halt an hour laler Mr. Grayson was reviewing from the grand stand most bexiderinS array of vehicles and flowers of every kind but no familiar aZalias! It had never oc- cured 10 him that Grace might exercise the feminine privilege of changing her mind until ap unusual round of applause called his attention to a beautiful affair, whose white and red roses suggested the confederaey, even without the battle scared flag that draped the entire trap. Beautiful and beaming as Grace looked, Gilbert's heart sank, for would one so de- voted to the lost cause ever look with fa- vor on one from the north? He had about made up his mind to leave without making his presence known to his changeable charmer, when Will slapped him on the shoulder, and exclaimed:
 ''Well, you really did find your way to the flower fete! l am truly glad to see you in our town!'
 Then Gilbert found himself piloted among the gay traps and introduced to their fair occupants; such a dazzling sue cession of flashing eyes and fitting organ dies.
 At last he ventured to put the question that had burned his lips some time, to which Will replied, with a brothers un- concern:
 "Oh, I guess Grace took grandmother to ride; but you must promise to come to the cotillon tonight and there you will be suro to see her"
 The group that surrounded Miss Daven- port that night parted as Will brought MT. Grayson up to renew their acquaintance. She received him graciously and gave him two dances; between which he noticed that while exceedingly popular, she seemed to treat all her admirers alike, but then-her favorite might not be 8 dancing man, and Gilbert determined to present every side of the queston to himself.
 The days that followed brought MT. Grayson full taste of that southern hos pitality he had feared might be a thing of the past On MT. Davenports introduce ton he was received with open arms by society during gaiety that follows Easter and proceeds the annual flight to cooler climes. More than all he appreciated his glimpses into the home life at Fernvale,