The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-16

mlngton, meditatiyely.
YES? said Fitzroy, "she must have
some water-lilies."
"And the man that gets them stands
the best in her good graces, ehg
$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 lifew said Symington.
"But I'll get her some lilies II pay
their price in goldw
"You mean you'll send to PhiIadel-
phia. where they're blossoming away
as thick as peas, close to your
"Never you mind what / mean~
Symington retorted.
"Humphw said Fitzroy. IF some
folks choose to be reticent, others can
be equally sor'
"Just as you pleaseT' 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
Hatheway's old barn.
Hell send to Philadelphia to-
night" thought he. 4"His lilies will
come from the florists. all packed in
wet cotton. tomorrow evening. I'll
be up at sunrise, and bring the fiow-
crs, all wet with dew, as 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 on
him unawares.
And early next morning, Symington
was snoring comfortably as Fitzroy
passed the young mans door. Ferdin-
and's heart thrilled with triumph as
he heard the somnolent sounds.
Cool and fresh, and wax-like, glim-
mered the lilies In the purple flush Of
the glorious midsummer dawn; sweet
and clear echoed the songs Of the rob-
ins 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 Bit" hesltated the boy.
dad, he nailed a piece of oilcloth in
her bottom but 1t 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. Whoop! Hurrah!-here we arev'
The stern of the boat ran into the
mat of water-lilies with soft rustic
Of crushing greenery. Fitzroy caught
greedly 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 nowl
Hold on, though! must have yonder
great, shining flowerw
Rising up in the boat he leaned over
nearly his whole length to reach the
royal blossom-stiIl it evaded him.
II will 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 splash
into the still and shining water.
Dear heart alive. sir, don't fret
You amt drowned-Lor you amt
hurt. It's nothin' on airth but a good
scare; and them Hatheways ought to
be indicted for coaxin' anybody to go
out in their old leaky, rattle-trap of a
bcat--that they ought"
Mr.. Fitzroy sat in q big rocking
chair in Farmer Westwood's kitchen,
dressed in an old blue-hanneI 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 a woolen
stocking tied about his neck-Mrs.
Westwoods 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
a darling good gentleman, and then
III get sponge and wash the mud OFF
your face"
But l say, look here" sputtered
Fitzroy, getting chance glimpse OF
himself in the little asparagus-shad.
owed mirror that hung below the
clock, I'm such a Judy Of a sightg .
"0h, never mind,' purred benign
Mrs. Westwood. There's nobody to
see you except"
At that instant Olive Harcourt came
in. robed in cool white muslin. her
golden hair floating around her like a
cloud.
Mrs. Westwood-v she began.
And then, struck with an irresist.
ible sense Of the ludicrous, she burst
OUT laughing.
Pray forgive me, Mr.. Ftzroy,v she
at last enunciated; but you do look
so exactly like the picture of Little