Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1907-11-14

kerchiefs-but Paul decided to take the
risk. Accordingly he inscribed his
RHYMES ITO $. NJ" and that he might
not he accused OF unfairness signed
his own initials. lie then fastened the
Jingle with clothespin TO the top OF
lace collar The monogram hand
terchief he appropriated.
Later in the afternoon shower de
yeloped Unexpectedly. and sylvia
rushed up TO the roof. There was no
stopping between drops to read non
sense rhymes, SO she gathered them In
with her washing and hurried down
stairs.
-Silller,- was her only comment
when she read them In the privacy OF
her room. Then, the loss of her hand
kerchief dawning suddenly upon her.
she pronounced Up. l." not only a
bold, bad poet, bat sneak thief, and
for days Stunned the roof religiously.
Finally, however, curiosity got the
better of her, and she ventured 10 go
ND lust once more and see what would
happen. The prospect wasn't promis-
luS. NC PtiSOh III "aS -
trained nurse hanging cut blankets.
Il hope no one is very ill.," remarked
Sylvia
well, he's pretty sick replied the
nurse. HE took cold staying up here
on the roof too long after getting over
the grip. We're fearful of pneumonia "
Sylvia's heart thumped violently.
"rm so sorry" she said sympathetic
ally us he delirious?'
The nurse looked at her curiously.
mo, not exactly. He talks in his sleep
sometimes. Are you friend of Mr..
Laurison'sT
II know him slightly" stammered
Sylvia. Then. after moment, she
added timidly. us Mr. Laurison con
scious?'
"Oh, yes: he's conscious"
Then please give him this" begged
Sylvia, extracting little crumpled pa
per from mysterious hiding place.
Don't let him read ii till he's better.
He'll know who sent it, Then Sylvia
made one of her characteristically dra-
matte exits.
The days that followed stretched sol
EMMY on into weeks Occasionally Syl-
via inquired of the elevator boy how
Mr.. Laurison was getting on. 1t SEEM
ed an eternity before his lugubrious
about the same, miss" changed to
the cheerful ''They say he's much bet
ter, miss"
with no. N, a
Grundy as to the propriety Of trips to
the roof. Sylvia went every day-twice
a day. She knew that some time she
would find him there. When at length
she did she almost ran to him for joy,
but remembered suddenly that they
had met only once before. So she call
ed to him from the distance.
How do you do, Mr.. Laurison"
Paul started up in his steamer chair
and gazed at her in glad surprise.
why. how do you do again" he
called cheerily. Wont you come over
and shake handsT'
Sylvia came toward him quickly and
extended her little white hand.
II suppose this is Miss S. r. | have
the pleasure of greeting" said Paul,
with cordial informally.
"Yes-Sylvia Randall" she answered
81 like the queens name" Paul COM
mented. land wish | could ask her to
stay awhile, but | have no throne to
offer her."
Without further ceremony Sylvia sat
down on the roof and declared herself
comfortable.
II want to thank you, Miss Sylvia, :
began Paul slowly, "for your message
while | was i'll. 1t did me world OF
good"
Sylvia looked up at him to see Ii he
was making fun of her, but Pau lay
back against the cushions, his eyes APP
parently closed. From beneath those
closed lids. however. he was reveline
in the glory of Sylvia's hair and in the
color that came and went in her
cheeks
81 wrote it, explained Sylvia hum
bly,, before knew you were Ill and
before found out that you are real
author"
"And how did you discover that?" in
CURED Paul.
I'm magazine" answered Sylvia
tersely. 1T was good story-mucI
better than your rhymes"
"Well, you see, writing poetry ISM
exactly In my line" said Paul. laugh
ing Il never did it till met you
But like 1t just the same. My two
favorite lines are these:
p. L. came to my house and stole hand
kerchief"
Sylvia hung her head, whether from
modesty or amusement Paul couldnt
tell
The paper they were written oil
was suspiciously watermarked." he OBJ
served. "You didn't really cry, di'
your
| "Rain vets things" answered Sylvi;
laconically. Besides. what good woult
1t have done to cry? You had IN.
handkerchief"
After this suspicious beginning tn
chimney postofiice was a wonderful.
busy institution, and the old roof wok
up all Of sudden to its many roman
tic possibilities.
Its truly garden, isn't lit" wits
pered Sylvia one night. stealing abou
in the moonlight with Paul beside hel
THE queens garden" answers
Paul. and Sylvia didn't dispute him.
Then after minute of silence b
/