The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-31

Yes" said fftzroy, "she must have
some water-lilies."
"And the man that gets them stands
the best in her good graces. eh:'
$50 it would appear"
Both young men went back to their
hostelry, and made diligent inquiry
separately, however, and without
collusion-about a boat. No such
aquatic convenience WAS to be had, it
appeared, on investigation.
Il never was in such an outlandish
place in all my life.n said Symington.
but I'll get her some lilies if / pay
their price in goldl'
you mean you'll send to PhiIadel-
phia, where they're blossoming away
as thick as peas, close to youY'
''Never you mind what / mean"
Symington retorted.
"Humph" said Fitzroy. "If some
folks choose to be reticent, others can
be equally sol'
Just as you pleaser said syming-
ton, laughing.
Fitzroy hugged himself. He had
the best excuse in the world now for
not telling his rival about the leaky
punt he had discovered under Farmer
Hatheways old barn.
Hell send to Philadelphia to-
night" thought he. His lilies win
come from the florists, all packed in
wet cotton, tomorrow evening. I'll
be up at sunrise, and bring the flow
ers, all wet with dew, as a morning
offering to Olives breakfast table;
and he may laugh who wins.
Mr. Symington went to the railroad
station and sent a note to Philadel-
phia by the conductor Of the evening
train-just precisely AS Ferdinand
Fitzroy had conjectured he would
Fitzroy slept, with his watch in his
hand, lest sunrise should steal Oh
him unawares
And, early next morning Symingion
was snoring comfortably as Fitzroy
passed the young mans door. Ferdin-
and's heart thrilled with triumph rs
he heard the somnolent sounds.
Cool and fresh. and wax-li1e, glim-
mered the lilies in the purple flush of
the glorious midsummer dawn; sweet
and clear echoed the songs of the rob
ms and thrushes in the alder boughs
that dipped their green fingers in the
water.
Bring on your boat, my lad" said
Fitzroy to the boy who sat waiting on
the shore.
"Her leaks a bit" hesitated the boy.
dad he nailed piece of ollcloth in
her bottom, but it amt no good"
Nonsense" said Fitzroy Here!
give me the oars! Now steer, and
don't let's hear any more of your non
sense. Whoopl Hulrah,-here we are''
The stern of the boat ran into the
mat of water-lilies with a soft rustic
of crushing greenery. Fitzroy caught
greedily at the many-blossom cups
and half-open buds, pure as if they
were carved in pearl.
This is something like" painted he.
If only symington could see me now!
Hold on, thought must have yonder
great, shining fiower!'
Rising up in the boat, he leaned over
nearly his whole length to reach the
royal blossom-still it evaded him.
Il viii have it" he muttered, with
a reckless plunge.
"Oh, take care, sirr' squeaked the
boy.
But his counsel came too late. The
boat gave a lurch. Fitzroy lost his
balance, and over he went-splash-
into the still and shining water.
Dear heart alive, sir, don't fret
You amt drowned-nor you amt
hurt. It's nothin' on airth but good
scare; and them Hatheways ought to
be indicted for coaxin anybody to go
out in their old leaky, rattle-trap of a
boat-that they ought"
Mr.. Fitzroy sat in n big rocking
chair in Farmer Westwood's kitchen.
dressed in an old blue-hannel dress
ing gown which belonged to that gen.
tleman's father, a frilled night-cap
tied about his ears, his feet thrust in
to coarse carpet slippers, and woolen
stocking tied about his neck-NIrs. !
Westwood's panacea for all possible |
and impossible ailments.
Here's the mustard plaster" said
Mrs. Westwood, triumphantly. And
here's the sage tea. Drink it now, like
darling good gentleman. and then
Ill get a sponge and wash the mud of |
your face"
But l say, look herew sputtered
Fitzroy. getting a chance glimpse Of
himself in the little asparagus-shad-
owed mirror that hung below the |
clock. I'M such a Judy Of a sightr"
"Oh. never mind purred benign |
Mrs. Westwood. There's nobody 10 !
see you except"
At that instant Olive Harcourt came /
in. robed in a cool white muslin. her
golden hair floating around her like a
cloud.
Mrs. Westwood--" she began.
And then. struck with an iiresist-
ible sense Of the ludicrous she burst
ont laughing
"Pray forgive me, AR Finrcy.~ she
at last enunciated; ~but you 10 look
so exactly Ike the picture Of Little
Red Riding Hoods grandmother.