Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1904-04-16
Our Weekly Short Story

married"
Philip smiled sadly. "If you change
your mind about mother" he said. you
can let ms know, otherwise I'll not ask
you again."
Martha laughed scc~nfully. I'm not
likely to change my mind" she said.
when | do you'll see me wearing red
flowers in my hair. and you know I'll
do that"
A year went by. and spring came
again. but Philip. to the establishment
of the entire village. did o "go court
in Martha Raymond" The dressmaker
exclaimed over the fact when she wsn
sewing for Mrs. Lindsey:
81 declare" she said. II believe Mar.
tina kind of misses ii. When ] was sew
In for her last week she seemed dread
ful quiet like. | noticed she didn't sing
much neither"
Serves her right for givin' Philip the
mitten so often. | heard Widow Ram
sey's son had been goin' there some"
Eyes, but she wouldn't give no en-
enlargement. for she said he wasn't
good TO his mother. She says a man
that amt considerable of his mother
gon't be c%onsiderate of his WIFE"
Another spring came, and every eye
was Oh Philip. He will go to see Mar
tina now" they said to another,
but Philip did not climb the hill road.
He had looked in vain for red flowers
in Martha's hair.
One beautiful Sabbath morning in
June Martha Raymond sat on the
broad doorstep waiting fer the first
bell to ring for church. Her brother
and his wife AMI little daughter were
visiting her. Ruth was to accompany
her TO church. The child was playing
in the old fashioned garden where
larkspurs and roses ran wild. Martha
called her. and she came running up
with her hands full of blossoms.
Pity towers" she said. "Rufe put
some in Aunt Marfa's hair" And she
climbed up on the broad stone and
peeped roguishly into Martha's face.
Only the blue flowers. dearie-the
AuIhSDuIS. AuhihC dONSh 4 wal iNh IL
her hair"
"Yeth." lisped the sweet baby voice,
pity blu flowers in auntie's hair"
And she tucked a crimson rambler
among the soft red coils. Then she
slipped her little hand into Martha's,
and they went to church together.
Philip and his mother sat directly be-
k..I 49,. Vrl,o la I,1r lanI-nJ in
quiringly at the little child, but Phil
fps eyes sought Martha's hair. just as
they had done in vain for two long
years. He half rose from his seat. for
there was the blessed red signal Mt
last. He rubbed his eyes and looked
again. and when the minister read.
"What went We out to see?" he muir
INJURED. "A red jnwer, of course" His
mother laid a reproving hand on his
arm. "Hushr' she whispered. just as
she had whispered years ago to the
restless youngster beside her.
Early thai afternoon he climbed the
hill road. Martha's brother answered
his knock. She was in the garden with
little Ruth. he said. He found them
there among the roses and larkspurs.
MARTHA" he cried. hurrying down
the gravel path. 'how can ! thank you.
deari'
Thank me-" she said TREMENDOUSLY.
for what. Philip
For wearing this" And he took the
withered red rose from her hair.
Her eyes opened wide with surprise.
II didn't know 1t was there" she fall
tered. Il guess Ruth did IT,"
"Yeth." the baby llsped. Il dess l
did-pitty blu flower"
Philips face fell. $50 it's all a mis-
take" he said sadly.
But Martha put her arms around her
little niece and held her close.
TELL him." she said. that auntie's
glad you put the pretty blu flower In
her hair"