The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-04-01
BY
HOEa,ard
FIELDING

a great coup, carefully meditated.
81 never thought you'd remember it, -
said Lucy Ann, staring at the rose.
'I'l press it in the family Bible. The
dictionary isn't good enough for its
NOW" said L, will you come out
with me again just for few minutes p
She would have demurred, but l in
sisted:
II don't want to be alone out there.
If the girl doesn't wear my posies
when she comes down through the
orchard again l shall be tempted to
jump into the lake"
"Of course she'll wear Them" said
Lucy Ann ANY girl would do that
much
"Then come aid behold my joy"
She consented with reluctance, and
we rowed out far enough into the lake
to command a view Of the orchard.
We could see the lodge, but not dis
tinctly because of the abundance of
foliage. The girl was sitting on the
veranda, but Jimmy was not visible.
He must have done his errand and
gone on toward the house.
"Shes arranging them now" said
Lucy Ann. Evidently l did not fix
them well enough to suit her."
1 assured my young friend that her
work with the roses had been of the
highest order of excellence, but she
still seemed to be hurt. For my own
part, l was fattered and absurdly
pleased that the girl should take so
much pains with my gift. l should not
have known what she was doing ex-
cept for Lucy AIMS suggestion, for we
were long way off, and the girl sat
by table with her back turned
toward us; but after a very long time,
as it seemed to me, she arose, holding
the bouquet against her gown as if to
try the effect. Then she picked up
something from the floor of the
veranda, tossed it through the window
and, unfolding her indispensable para
sol, she came slowly down through the
orchard.
We had fieeting glimpses Of her
among the trees, and it was not until
she had covered more than half the
distance that she came fully into view
The flowers were fastened at her belt.
How white they lookr said I. THE
color scarcely shows at all at this dis
lance"
Lucy Ann did not reply. She was
sitting up very straight, and her gray
eyes were wide open. At last she be-
gan to shake her head slowly, and a
queer little smile played round her
mouth while her forehead was froWn-
ing.
Eyes," she said, ''they do look trife
PALE
The girl had reached the spot where
the easel stood, and we had a better
view of the blossoms than when she
had been more directly approaching us
1 glanced hastily at Lucy Ann.
''ThOse are not my roses" said I.
They're not roses at ALL" she re-
joined. They're pond lilies"
"Pond liliesv' 1 exclaimed. Where
should she get pond lilies?''
''There are a few already at the up
per end of the lake." said she.
'But do you suppose she's been up
there alone?"
"That's certain"
took up the oars and pulled toward
the shore with the stroke of a tired
fisherman who has been out in the rain
all day. Lucy Ann sat in the stern
and tried to look sympathetic, but shs
failed. When the boat touched the
beach, did not Immediately arise. I
leaned forward upon the oars.
did yeu see her toss anything in
through the Window I asked.
EYES," replied Lucy Ann in the hush
ed voice appropriate to a delicate sub
ject.
might have been a bean bag by the
way she threw it, eh?"
81 didn't particularly notice." said
Lucy Ann.
you're great girl" said L, extend
ing my hand to assist her to rise.
Don't say anything about this fool
ishness."
ooh, nor said she. 81 won't tell a
single soul"
She gained the shore with my assist
ance and waited while 1 made the
painter fast.
"Where is your roSeY' / asked, turn
ing toward her.
throat.
81 fastened it there" said she. TT
must be in the boat"
But it wasn't. Lucy Ann expressed
sorrow, but she did not
spend much time looking for the rose.
AS we climbed the steep bank Jimmy
LamOine suddenly appeared at the top
Of it. His face wore that gravely pleas
ed look which was habitual with him
and always slightly accumulated when |
be had performed a task, for Jimmy |
had the satisfaction of believing that
whatever he did was better done than |
it could have been by another.
"Where were you this afternoon?"
asked Lucy Ann