The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-10


something should happen IN your abb
sence. / viii go for the ladies'
II hope yen not miss it." said Fergus.
but his eyes and his heart were fixed
upon the bud. which was slowly gaping
apart, showing faint tinge of gold in
it's heart
Farnham walked rapidly up the gar
den. and found the Belongs at the door.
starting for evening service with their
prayer books in Their hands.
do you wish to see the prettiest thing
you ever saw in your lives2 OF course
1 except your mirrors when in action"
he began. without salutation. IF so,
come this moment to my conservatory.
MY nigilt-blooming cereus has her COM
ing out party tonight"
They both exclaimed with delight. and
were walking with him toward the gar
den- Suddenly. Mrs. Bedding stopped
and said:
Alice. run and get your sketchbook
and pencil. 1t will be lovely to draw
the flower"
why. mamma. we shall not have
time for a sketch"
There, therel do as 1 tell you. and
do not waste time in disputing"
The young girl hesitated a moment,
and then, with instructive obedience.
went on to fetch the drawing materials.
while her mother said to Farnham:
*
Madame de Veaudray saws Alice IN
very clever with her pencil; but she is
so modest l shall have to be severe with
her to make her do anything. She
takes after me. was very clever in
my lessons. but never would admit it,
Alice came down the steps. Farnham,
seeing her encountered by her books.
took them from her, and they went
down the walks to the conservatory.
They found Ferguson sitting, with the
same rapt observation before his tropt-
cal darling. AS the ladies entered he
rose TO give them seats. and then re-
tired to the most distant corner OF the
room, where he spent the rest OF the
evening entirely unaware of any ones
presence, and given up 70 the delight OF
his eyes. The bud was SO far opened
that the creamy white of the petals
could be seen within the riven sheath.
whose strong dark color exquisiteIy re-
heved the paIlid beauty IL had guarded
so long. The silky stamens were
still curled about the central style, bur
the splendor OF color which was COM
ing was already suggested, and breath
OF intoxicating fragrance stole from the
heart of the Immaculate flower
They spoke te each other in low tones.
as If impressed with a sort OF awe at
the beautiful aud mysterious develop
melt of fragrant and lovely life going
forward under their sight. The dark
eyes OF Alice Bedding were fun of that
Wv ho-
charming things bring to Intelligent girl
hood She was looking with all her
soul, and her breath was quick ond
high. and her soft red lips were parted
and tremulous. Farnham looked from
her TO the flower. ard back again. saz-
ing on both with equal safety. fer the
one was as unconscious OF his adrniring
glances as the other
Suddenly. the sound OF bells foated In
from the neighborlng street. and both
OF the ladies started mo, don't Won
60" said Mrs. Bedding to her oaugh-
ter L must. because 1 have to see my
Rescue the Perishing.' But Won can
just as well stay here and make vour
sketch Mr. Farnham can take core of
you, and l will be back In an hour
But, mammal cried Miss Alice FOO
mucn scandalized to speak another
word.
won't have you lose this chance"
hef mother continued. II am sure Mr.
Farnham will not object to taking care
OF you little while; and II he hasn't
the time. Ferrous viii bring you home
Inn. Fergus7'
Ay madam. with right guild will"
the gardener said. his hard face soften
ing into a smile.
There. sit down in that chair and
begin your sketch. II is lovely Just az
IL Is She waited until Alice, whose
confusion had turned her face crimson.
mad taken her seat. opened her sketch
DOCK, ard taken her pencils in her
trembling hands, and then the brisk
and hearty woman drew her shawl
about her and hustled 10 the door.
L will walk to the church door with
you, said Farnham. to the infinite re-
lief OF Alice. who regained her compo-
sure at the instant. and began with in
terest to sketch the flower. She thought,
while her busy fingers we're at work,
that she had perhaps been too prudish in
objecting to her mothers plan He
evidently thinks nothing OF it, and why
should I?''
BY the time Farnham returned, the
cereus had attained its full glory of
bloom Its vast pedals were thrown back
to their fullest extent. and shone with a
luminous beauty IN which it's very per-
fume seemed visible; the countless re-
curved stamens shot forth with the Wig
orous impulse and vitality of sun rays;
frcm the glowing center to the dark
fringe with which the shattered sheath
still accented its radiant outline 1t blazed
forth. fully revealed; and its sweet
breath seemed the voice of pride and
of beauty ike that of tho
goddess on Mount Ida. calmly trium-
plant in the certainty of perfect Lowell
ness.
Alice had grown interested il her task.
and looked up for only an instant with
her frank. clear eyes as Farnham en-
tered. Now, where shall sit?" he ask
ed. Here. behind your right elbow.
where / can look over your shoulder
and observe the work as it goes on?''
BY no means. My hand would lo4e
all its little cunning in that case"