The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-02-06

,l'f w
people remember one at all it is only
on holidays when they can send use.
full things"
st is one of the penalties of age"
said 1.
"As if old people did not need flow.
ers and bonbons!" said Betty.
There is more virtue in Cruel" l
hazarded.
Il hate useful things" said Betty.
"We have to put up with them oc.
c~asionally," said I.
We turned in toward the little
house where Miss Lyons lived, and
the woman who took care of her
admitted US. Miss Lyons was propped
up in a chair by the window. She
was reading 1.-THE Imitation" In a
glass on the window sill was a great
bunch of %violets; they we're big, sin
gle and deep in color. A card lay
near them.
George ard I stopped in to see
how you We're" said Betty.
The old lady heamed as she took
my hand.
i want to thank you" she said,
pointing to the flowers. .You don't
know how much good they did me-
how /, an old woman, appreciate be-
ing thought Of"
| had opened my mouth to speak
when Betty's foot touched mine
lightly and meaningly. 1 had Z
quick little glance from her.
I'm so glad you liked them" I
said. II fancied they might give you
a breath of outdoors."
And of YOUTH" said the old lady.
st was like" she smiled, 'like a val
entine. | wonder if you thought of
it?"
Quite like a valentine" I an.
swered. and ! was very much ashamed
that I hadn't thought of it.
Miss Lyons was really quite merry,
though to sit in the house must be
trying. Also Betty outdid her
self. So we made rather a long call.
and then an hour later we were in
the library again.
1 was sitting in the Morris chair
looking into the fire, and Betty was
getting out the tea-things.
"You might explain fully" said I.
asshe threw a glance in my direction.
you have been patient" she de-
clared, as she swung the tea-ball
around her finger.
Patience is not its own reward"
said I.
Il heard only this morning that she
was not we'll" began Betty.
But %supposing you did send mine,
why give me the credit for what
didn't do?"
IF you'd known. you would have
thought of it. Don't you see? l
could have bought some, but they
wouldn't have served the purpose
They had to be from a man"
I looked at her.
you see, we are all alike, we won.
They meant twice as much to
to have them from you" said
Betty, as she slowly moved a lighted
match over the alcohol cup.
Wisdom is the better part cf good
1 agreed.
She tossed the half-burned stick
nto the CRATE, and I watched the
vood flare. The silence lasted a full
minute; sometimes q minute is verr
ong.
Il might have sent Lees roses" She
aid, suddenly.
! pursed my lips.
"Or n Of the other punches of
.iolets," she added.
l drummed with my fingers ON the
hair arm.
But" She put her chin in her
and and looked across at me. q
'onder It ! could have explained 4
0 them,' she finished, with q little
OAK in her tone.
He that is last shall he frst ), = =
relaxing.
Betty carefully put the kettle oye-
ne hame. Then she walked over q
own private writing desk in tho
There she picked up a little
vase Of Q. fingers height.
mere were three yiolets in it. They
ere Dig and Single and of a color
2 sky on q summer night.
she touched the flowers to her fac.
SUI /! was sure you'd understand !.
Is sald. The laugh ON her lips sub.
and 2 smile came and plays6
, ner eyes.-Woman's Homo Com