Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-17

- "The flowers? Whence came they?"
lAeaSAl "From' the honorable garden" an
swered Wistaria. trembling.
"There is no tree in all the garden
with blossoms in full bloom. They are only COM
mencing to bud, and will not blossom before the
first Of April"
To this undeniable fact Wistaria made no re.
sponse.
Answer when you art spoken to- prompted
her aunt, sharply.
"Nly lady--I do not know what to say'
Then you leave me to my own conjectures.
You have lover"
ooh, no, indeed"
What Flowers fresh from the morning dew
in your chamber, and you with you hair un-
bound! Pray when did it become an honorable
fashion for ladies of our rank to venture out to
purchase flowers before sunrise-and in such
scanty attire?"
''AIy aunt, you are killing me-"
"Your health appears to me to be far from
feeble
Il am innocent of any wrong said Wistaria,
with a flash of spirit.
Then you will not object to inform me who
presented you with these howers?"
IAN honorable gentleman" said Wistaria
Indeed! And what is this honorable gentle.
mans name, may I ask?'
Wstaria hesitated. Then sudden idea came
to her. She smiled mysteriously
''But do not know his name," she said which
was quite true, she was unaware of her lovers
true name.
'fYou do not know the name of your lover!"
cried her aunt, incredulously.
Indeed, I wish I did"
Yet you accept his gift, You are entirely
without shame, grill"
''Oh, lady, the flowers were so beautiful 1
could not resist them"
Beautiful" shrieked her aunt. "And because
flowers beautiful, is that an excuse for ac.
cepting the love Of some impudent adventurer?"
Accepting the love!" repeated Wistaria, falter.
ing
''Yes, indeed, and you need not pretend ig-
norance Of my words. They are quite clear to
You, have no doubt
But"
you are well aware that by accepting the
flowers you also accept his despicable love and
practically betroth yourself to this fellow He
snail be fogged for his impertinence"
"Flogged!" cried Wistaria, becoming very pale
"Flogged, repeat" said her aunt, coldly.
Wistaria shivered with apprehension. She had
not until now grasped the real seriousness of her
position.
your father" continued the Lady Evening
Glory, "shall be sent for this day. We shall see
what those in authority over You think of your
conduct"
The aunt had but to mention the father to
and stood trembling among the scattered bios
SONS.
II am guilty of no wrong, do assure vou
my lady aunt. But arose to enjoy the suns
awakening, and-and I did find these honorable
flowers On my sill, aud indeed they spoke to me
of-of the coming summer, and so many things
dear aunt, that was fain to take them in
Then do, pray, my little dove, inform me
what you know concerning this presumptuous
fellow who placed them on your SILL"
oh my lady, he is indeed honorably noble"
Indeed"
II do assure you. He is" she broke off, pain.
fully debating in her mind the wisdom of con
tossing the truth TO her aunt
"He is?" repeated her aunt.
"Our own august guest"
"Ah-ho Then if that is so, you spoke a lie
Just moment since when you said you did not
know your lovers name"
Wistaria attempted TO speak, but broke off
taltering and stammering piteously.
May | inquire, them continued her aunt
relentlessly, whether you are unacquainted with
the honorable name of our august guest?"
ooh, my lady, / do believe that-that he as
sumed another-ony- for the innocent ro-
nance Of wooing me under an assumed title"
'sol And pray how comes il, then that my
sons honorable guest should also happen to be