The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-05-30
By RITA KELLEY

But aren't you glad you didn't get
your tablecloth all spotted up?"
"Oh, that isn't it. But we shall have
to save some money for Easter Sun
day, and you can get so few flowers for
80 cents" Miss Folke had a grievance
against her trades people, and they re-
taliated by Invariably giving her short
measure. ''Welr'-she stacked up a half
dollar in pennies and nickels-"I guess
that will have to do"
How many ought l to get for 80
cents?'
They'll turn up their noses at you
at florists and give you two or three
stale flowers that will be all withered
the second day. You'd better go to the
street booth over by the Il station and
tell them if they give you good flowers
you'll come again"
"Stick up their noses at mew said
Miss Matte, ignoring Miss Folke's sug-
gestion. Don't ever worry, Miss
Folke. I'll get some flowers that will
make you gasp with surprise and pleas
ure. I'd just like to see them stick up
their noses at me-" she threatened as
she paused to smile Overwhelmingly at
Miss Folke before closing the outside
door
She passed several exclusive florists
shops before she found one to her sat
isfaction. 1t was by far the handsom-
est of all. Gripping her 80 cents inside
her glove, she swept in like breath
and stood in the midst of the most
beautiful flowers she had ever seen. A
remarkably handsome young man was
standing in the rear beside a bank of
palms, holding some smilax.
"Some flowers" she said, smiling and
nodding at him.
He looked up surprised. Then, look
ing at some one behind the palms, he
turned, spoke to one of the assistants
and came forward eagerly.
Nov, what would you like?" He
waved his hand gracefully toward the
masses of roses and crimson carna-
lions.
ooh, beautiful breathed Miss Mat
tie in an ecstasy. Il should like"-she
clutched the coins slowed away in her
glove and smiled dazzlingly-"a flower
for penny"
"What| For a moment it looked as
though the young man was going to
prove disagreeable
Miss Mattie's smile became momen-
tarily more bewitching.
YES" she continued, whirling her
muff airily around her hand; 81 just
slaughtered the boarding house pig,
and l want all the nice flowers you can
give me for 80 cents. Aren't those love
Tyr She pointed to some rare orchids.
The young man was amused. Miss
Matte was good to look at and had an
unmistakable air of being accustomed
to beautiful things. Yet 80 cents for
orchids, which she distinctly seemed to
favor. He coughed alphabetically.
FLOWERS are rather expensive" he
ventured.
Yes, l know" laughed Miss Matte.
These must be terribly high" She
touched the violets on her coat linger-
ingly. Think of the money you extort
from rich young men, And Eve only 80
cents. 1t was all the pig could spare
We had to save some for Easter, you
know, and no one got many spots on
the tablecloth this week"
The florist answered her smile.
"The pig gets the money for the
spots" she explained
The young man looked as though he
were immensely interested-in the pig
What would you like?" he asked
again.
II want just the most nice fresh
flowers you can give me for half dol
lar. 1t makes no difference what kind
They told me l couldn't get any for so
little money" Miss Matte smiled.
The man bowed low.
III see what l can do for you," he
said and strobe to the rear of the store.
Miss Matte watched him admiringly
as he stopped to speak to one of the
men before he entered the ice room.
She had not known such nice young
men kept florists shops. She moved
step or two to the right of the palms In
order to see him more distinctly.
He was taking down one crimson
carnation after the other, a spray of
narcissus, some roses, an orchid Miss
Matte looked away, afraid to trust her
own eyes. He seemed rather an easily
embarrassed young manor was he
amused? Miss Matte did not dare to
risk the doubt, for if he saw her OBJ
serving him he might stop adding to
the bunch. Miss Matte had reasons of
her own for wishing as big a bouquet
as possible. 1t signifed in way her
sphere of influence ON the susceptible
ties of the young man.
When he emerged from the room
Miss Matte said, "Oh" Miss Matte
knew how to say it long and express
lively
The young man turned from the desk
and looked at her He flushed ever so
slightly and smiled.
"All those for 50 cents?" Miss Mat
tie had her muff under her chin. Her
eyes were wide with wonder.
The young man laughed as he glanced
from her to some one back of the palms.
Il wouldn't do this for every one
you understand. But 1 felt sorry for
the pig"
But there are too many. You can't
afford to do it." Miss Matte was re-
fusing to take them from his hands
His tone was businesslike.
Eyes, l can. The pig may demand
some larger orders some day, and we
shall be glad to fill them. Merely an
advertisement, you know"
Yes, indeed, we get loads of flow
ers, and this is the very prettiest shop
on the street" She smiled. Are you
sure these are fresh? Because if they
are I'm coming again Saturday."
His face wore a broad smile as he
turned after bowling her out and met
an irritable chap emerging from be-
hind the palms.
You're a nice one" complained the
chap, flirting with my lady"
Jack" innocently, sis she really"
"Of course. Didn't you see my vio-
let's on her coatY
The young man laughed.
"Just cancel that order for those 9th
er flowers for Miss Cromer,' he called
to one of the men, And nut these