Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-24
as tlesr. l shall be fearfully disappoint-

edi"
Shirley stared hard at the flowers to
avoid seeing the tears gather in Rita's
eyes. He had grown roses solely to
please her, and they had given him away.
For two days he worried over the prob
lem, reckless OF the advice of the nerve
specialist At the end of the second even
| ing he thought he saw a way ont of his
difficulty, with beaming eyes, he called
out joyfuily to Rita, who, as usual. was
towering over her roses.
You are bothering over Bessie Brown
| | know" he called. And YOU are fight
I ing the blight with woman's weapon
soapsuds. Aren't you, now? just like a
woman-not an idea above spring clean
! ingi Now | have brought YOU some
| splendid scientific stuff | used Tor nv
| flowers. Give it trial. and Bessie viii
be as clean as the dew by the show
Rita accepted the tin with gratitude.
and Shirley went home happy.
! He slept the sleep of the lust that
night; but about o'clock he woke I'M
suddenly, and sat up in bed. his mind in
| vaded by horrible suspicion Hastily
slipping on dressing gown and slippers.
he stole out to the Toulouse. Bv the
| light of his candle, he espied tin on one
OF the shelves, at the sight of which he
gave groan. If his heart had been
light when he fetched the blight DESTROY
er, the shed had been dark, and, with the
calmness of despair, he realized that he
had given Rita the strongest weed killer
in his possession.
Further sleep was impossible. He
dressed, and sat reading till the suns
rays grew high. Then, with furtive steps.
| ne stole like q murderer to the scene of
his crime. Climbing Miss Clay's garden
wall, he skunk over to the fated Bessie
Blown. In moment he knew the worst.
The dainty flower, whose dignity had
been insulted By the rank odor, had
curled up each delicate petal in disgust,
and hung on the branch wilted ball.
A light step behind him made the man
turn. To his horror, he saw Rita trip
ping down the path, radiant as the sum
mer's day. Shirley fixed his eyes on the
gravel, and stood. waiting for the storm
to descend on his head He heard a gasp.
and then curious muifled sound. He
looked round quickly, and then he fed
from the garden.
Rita could not have chosen better
way to punish him; for she, his self-pos
sessed and slightly aggressive charmer,
| ldu DulSt lltO tears.
The following morning the sun woke
all the inhabitants of Durley by throw
ing golden shower into their rooms, for
it was the great gala day of the season
the Rose Show. By 10 o'clock Shirley
had prepared all his blooms, finished their
toilettes. and with heavy heart he saw
them neatly arranged, with their heads
peeping from their stiff green setting.
n, 10
the last hole with listless fingers, when
Rita peeped over. Her face was pale, for
her collection had just departed, minus
her best rose.
They're beautiesl" she called. "You
viii certainly take the prize!"
Shirley WINGED
lessly Il have only to fill in this form,
and then they're ready to go off,"
Tie drew out his fountain pen with the
air OF criminal about to sign his death
warrant. He felt, by winning the prize
now, he would add insult to his irrepara-
bic injury. Then sudden inspiration
came to him. In absent -minded manner
nc gave the pen an impatient shake TO
make it flow freer, and instantly show
er of inky specks flew over the blooms.
4
/ ley felt pang as he drew out three
ruined roses, and threw them into a wa
| tering can which was half filled with
weed Killer
We'll, there goes my chance" ne said.
I'm glad, too, as | spoiled yours"
He did not go to the show. Late in the
afternoon he saw Rita depart to know
her fate Then he sat smoking until the
shadows of the house heightened on the
lawn. Taking out Bradshaw, he began
to hunt out trains.
Il have done for myself" he said.
"And if don't get away, l shall become
a perfect wreck"
He traced a train to Cornwall, but
found instead that he had reached Ely
stun, for transformed Rita suddenly
ran up the path towards him, waving u
blue ticket.
| ut is mine! | have won It'll" she
cried ''In spite of being rose short !!
Oh, l am so glad! But what are you
doing with that guide? You are not
going away?"
| my heartiest congratulations. | new
Ell was so pleased before! Yes, it is a
Bradshaw, and | am going away"
"How are your poor roses?" she asked
at length
81 don't know / chucked them there. "
Shirley carelessly drew out dripping
bloom from the can. Then he stared in
surprise. The. strong solution of the
chemical had transformed the blossoms.
Although blotched and streaked, its color
was undeniable.
"A blue rose!" gasped Rita.
/ The look in her face answered the ques-
tion of Shirleys eyes, and as she gently
took the rose he knew that he also was
prize winner.-London Ages.