The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-19
THE EVENING STORY
My Lady DarfodII.
CBy Virginla Blair. )

In Miss Prisc1lla's garden there was
clunp of daffodiIs.
I am going to pick all of them,'
SAID Judy Perkins. who was Miss Pris-
elias niece.
Please don't. Judy" said Miss Pris-
why not p"
m.i 6secause." was Miss Priscilla's wo-
Judy looked at her. TELL me-" she
urged, you are blushing, and you
San Z have any secrets from me, Aunt
Miss Priscilla beamed. It was such a
new delight to be bossed by this beau
SIuI pelng who had come all the way
from Europe to the little country VIII
ers sister.
Tell me-" Judy repeated, and drew
ene little lady down beside her on the
Priscilla stammered out her little ro-
nance. So you and he always sat on
TINS bench by the daffodil bed, and
you wore a little yellow dimity gown,
ana ne called you My Lady Daffodil.' -
Yes" Miss Priscilla's voice was
dreamy, land he used to quote some
verses that ended:
And then my heart with pleasure
And dances with the daffodils."
murmured.
There was a misunderstanding. !"
aWay-and 1 haven't heard from him
slnce-and that was twenty years ago."
. JUDY enveloped the shabby black
figure in big hug. Dear Aunt Pris,"
she SAID and you have been alone and
lonely sall these years, while I have
oeen having good times
You couldn't know" Miss Priscilla
said, that after father and mother
mining scheme that failed
NO. we didn't know" Judy said,
ana you have Scrimped and saved and
gone without pretty things while I
nave simply squandered piles of mon
ey on gowns"
THE one you have on is a beauty"
MISS Priscilla said; you locke like a
Judy laughed. ''The rose and the
daffodil." She sang; I'VE belong in
your garden, Aunt Pris.''
Miss Priscilla said some one from
the other side of the fence. "may
nave a rose from your garden?"
I told you last night you couldn't,
Bobbfe," Judy retorted.
Don't quarrel Miss Priscilla ex-
postulated; come up presently and
have lunch with me-"
AS she left them judy stood looking
after the slender, old-fashioned figure.
Did she ever tell you about the daft
fodils, Bobbie?''
NO..
He was her lover, and he went
away-and his name is Constantius
Mercer"
do you know" Bobbie said, there's
a man at the hotel named Mercer-C.
Judy grasped his hands across the
fence. "Bobbie, boy" she said, Sup
pose it should be the same one-and
he is coming back here to look
up Aunt Pris.''
"Cha must oh
that time Bobbie said; "she-she
isn't very pretty now, you know, Judy"
she's beautiful" Judy said defiant
~; her hair is lovely and her eyes
"Constantius is probably old and
bald and ugly-but of course that
doesn't count
Wen, one doesn't exactly look for
''If one did, one might be disappoint-
3D." Judy murmUred pointedly. Then
she went on: eff 1t is ConStantius he'll
probably be over this evening, Bob
bic"
''Why?"
Because she said he always came
1T twilight, and-and lovers don't for
get such things. Bobbie."
With some interest. will you remem-
Der that I always came at high noon
n time for lunch, Judy?''
Aunt Pris," Judy said a little later,
o get the dinner tonight. and 1 want
t late. Boobies coming and I'm going |
% put on style"
Bobbie looked up in amazement, but !
rudy's eye warned him. you are to |
,ome at 1870" she said; 'I want to |
show you what a fine cook I am"
After Bobbie left. Miss Priscilla pro-
ested.
"PIease." Judy begged, NIet me get
he dinner, and-and 1 want to dress
rou up and have you play lady for once |
n your life. You are going to wear a /
pretty gown tonight" Judy said. de-
me. Aunt Pris."
Once in Judy's room that enthu-
iastic maiden dumped on the bed a
Iozen gowns before she found the one
he sought.
There she said at last. as she took
own a fluttering fluffy thing of pale
elbow chiffon. Put that on and see
low you look. Aunt Pris.''
ested. But Judy commanded, and |
DON Miss Priscilla was encased in the
Tonderful gown.
But your hairs wrong" Judy de-
urled and patted and puffed the shin
1g brown locks into a wonderful Golf
ure-topped with a gold comb.
Why, it's Just the way I used to
"And now you are to take a book
nd go down to the garden seat and
tay there until 1 call you to dinner"
A half hour later Bobbie appeared
t the kitchen door
Judy" he said in an awed voice, 1T
idn't know clothes could make such
difference"
What % asked Judy, distracted. She
Tas deep in the mysteries of mayon-
aise.
Miss Priscilla is down by the daft
odiI bed in a yellow gown, and she
,oks like a girl with her hair done
C4.o fe, -
DR. the garden. He's a good-looking
Id duffer. JEdy."
''I hope he has piles of money"
udy said
'T'H run back and Dress Bobbie
aid, 'but I wish you'd let me get the ,
adv of the Roses if he gets Nv Lady