Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-09-07

and opened the door OF the Sitting
room.
In the square bow window luxuriat
| ing in the waning sunlight were Aun
Heppy's Gala lilies. Twelve stately
plants they were. and each one bors
two snowy blossoms. twenty-four II
all. Aunt Heppy had nursed them ten
DERBY all winter. and now-they were
rewarding her care.
Deliberately he drew out his knife
and cut the lilies from the plants. AS
he turned away with his arms full OF
the long stemmed beauties the door
opened and Aunt Heppy's Mortified
eyes fastened upon him.
Gilbert Baker. are you crazyT she
shrieked
II guess am. said Gilbert dryly as
he reached into his pocket and drew
forth a five dollar bill. i've got to
have these, Aunt Heppy. You take
this money-the sewing society's seen
the lilies anyway-you won't miss
EN-"
He was gone, and Aunt Heppy sank
into chair and looked dazedly from
the five dollar bill over to the denuded
plants In the window.
"For the lands sake! The boys
crazyr' she calculated at last, tucking
the money away in her pocket
Just as the red sun dipped behind
the high cemetery hill Gilbert Baker
toiled YEARLY up the white path. In
his arms he held rude wooden cross,
to which he had clumsily tied the Gala
lilies. Some of the snowy bloom was
married by his awkward fingers, but
his patient labor had not been In vain,
for at little distance the white cross
shone lovely symbol.
The cemetery was deserted. Over
in the Plimpton plot he saw glimpse
OF purple flowers and slowly made his
way into the space inclosed In hedge
of arbor vitae.
On the low grassy mound We're laid
Annals offerings-wreaths of daisies
and box, syringa and ivy, purple lilies
and evergreen. A little flag was stuck
in an iron standard at the head OF the
young soldiers grave.
Gilbert solemnly laid his cross on the
other emblems. II made cross be-
cause he was Episcopal" he muttered
softly.
When he Strengthened up his startled
eyes looked straight into the soft
brown ones of Anna Plimpton.
IL didn't know you were here. /
thought everybody was gone" he said
awkwardly, lingering his hat
81 came back to look at 1t again."
she said softly what a beautiful
cross! Did you make it, Gilbertw
He nodded CURLY 81 took your adj
vice, Anna. and thought things over,
and ! guess the reason you won't give
me an answer is because I'm such
low down, jealous minded fool.
didn't feel quite so mean after that
and wanted to show him He ges-
tured toward the grave.
Anna came and stood beside him. 81
have been sorry You felt that way
about him." she said in queer little
voice. but that is not the reason why
l have never answered your question,
Gilbert"
what is the reason, thenY he de-
manded.
'Because-because you have never
asked me any question that l could
answer, Gilbert" she half sobbed.
You have beaten around and around
the bush and She hid her face
against his rough coat sleeves
"Why-why. it's all right now, then
amt itY' he asked hazardly as his arm
encircled her waist.
Eyes"
II hope he don't mind" said Gilbert
after little while.
I'm sure he doesn't" replied Anna
sweetly as they passed out of the little
gate.
And even then Gilbert Butler did not
realize that he had not asked the
proper question.
Washington Sunday Star contains later