The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-26
THE CoURTIN' OF "GLITTERs."

1 christened her "Glitters" at first
sight. She was wearing tremulous
gold earrings fully two inches long.
and they sparkled and glittered in the
sunlight as she moved her dark,
feather-crowned head I suppose she
wore a hat, but the effect was prin-
cipaIly feather; also she had some
sort of bead chain around her neck
glass beads-and they flashed and
glittered, too.
Her real name was Jane Emily. but
only discovered that later. For the
young woman. She might have passed
for a Greek goddesS-Juno, or her
like-had she not sold flowers at
Charing Cross and worn a brown
merino skirt and loose white blouse,
for she had really good classical fea-
lures and a perfectly magnificent bust
and throat.
used to buy flowers in those days,
great punches of sweet. strong smell
ing stocks, more delicate and fra
grant pink carnations, masses of pale
pink and deep crimson roses. for
Cynthia loved flowers and L loved
Cynthia
NV first acquaintance with "Glit-
ters'' had something sensational about
it. I was nearly the hero of a street
fight. A coster belaboring small
and excessively patient donkey had
aroused my wrath, and the same
stalwart gentleman was inviting me
to take off my coat and have it out
with him-and l itched to do it, too,
although 1 wore black cloth-when
"GlitterS" interviewed.
She swept out from the crowd of
onlookers, a perfect hurricane in pet
ticoats. and with black flashing eyes,
and rough edge of tongue, told the
coster plainly what she thought of
him. Before she had finished 1 felt
sorry for the man-absolutely sorry.
Here was a splendid young woman
telling him the most unpleasant
facts about himself, and the crowd,
being with "Glitters," applauded
every point.
With the appearance of a leisurely
policeman her harangue ceased, and
as the crowd melted and a detected
coster drove small donkey on,
"Glitters" turned to me. flushed with
triumph.
That's all right, .guv'nor; I kin
do i'm any di, that lot.dirty beast.
Will you ave a flower, sir?"
With this professional cry, Gilt
tiers" rturned to her normal occupa-
ton, and, as she skillfully wired but
tonhole of lilies of the valley for me,
her character. She evidently mis-
trusted ne at first, for when l limited
out wish for better acquaintance
she flushed angrily, and judged me
by my clerical garments as a netter
of souls on the warpath.
4 amt a goin' to none of your
missions-not me-" she cried. with a
fine burst of temper. You parsons
tryin' to make us be'ave like mealy
mouthed humbugs. an I don't want
no truck with you or your likes
1t took a few seconds to convince
about a young lady for whom I
should need to buy flowers delighted
her. Where's the woman who does
not anticipate love story? Before I
had bought a bunch of delightful;
fresh smelling dafrodIs, "Glitters"
was smiling archly, and when I
turned to go. carrying my spoils, she
proffered me a bunch of violetS as
a., free-will offering, saying simply.
For your young Idly, SIR" The ro-
nance to her mind was concluded.
I told Cynthia all about the little
adventure as she arranged the daffo-
dis in a quaint, high, brown jar. and
she smiled prettily and tucked Gilt
ters' violetS into the bosom of her
dress. She was wearing pale mauve
frock, j remember, and looking de-
lightfully pretty, as she always did. I
contrasted her delicate pink and white
loneliness with the flower girls rudy
health and comedy strength; both wo-
men made in the same mold. and yet
the difference of all the world be-
tween them. I wondered vaguely if
Cynthia would ever repent her prom
Use to marry a poor clergyman, and
sigh for the luxury of this west end
drawing room when queening it in my
east end vicarage in the remote flu
ture.
You do love me, Cynthia, dar-
Iins?" I cried hungrily.
she moved gently toward me, her
SILK skirts rustling, the faint odor of
her favorite perfume pervading the
air. When she reached my side she
kissed my forehead softly.
Foolish boy" she whispered, don't
1 love you with all my hearth"
/ remember straining her in my