The Red Cloud chief., 1911-10-12

| oAo ComIOTteQ herS0If.
Her garden was a thing OF beauty
riot OF color. . sea of fragrance
!Inere were no roses around the biz
mouse across the way. Formal ter.
races, q clump or two of rhododeu.
drons. some clipped trees in green
poxes; these constituted the floral dis.
play.
And she let's her gardener care for
them," Mrs. Nesbit had told her hus.
pand at breakfast. Half the fun in
paving flowers 10 in taking care of
them yourself"
Sne doesn't seem to have much
run. John Nesbit had replied. she
lives such an artificial existence"
on but she has a lovely time"
Ne'iie insisted. She has loads of
company. and they come in automo.
pies. and they play bridge on the
porch. and have delicious things to
eat. Why, John Nesbit, I don't dare
step into my garden when those wo.
men are playing cards."
why not?"
i haven't anything fit to wear"
John raised his eyebrows in amaze.
ment. Never before had his Nellie
SHOWN signs of discontentment.
You're too pretty to say things like
that" he told her.
"Prettiness doesn't count in these
Jays" Nellie assured him.
He came around to her side of tho
table and kissed her. You're all
right" he said. heartily. Goodbye,
sweetheart. I'll have to hurry bit,
or I'll be late for my train"
III Mr.. Wentworth was the least
DIT neighborly." Nellie complained.
he would ask you to ride in town
with him. He sits in that big car
alone, except for the chauffeur. and
there's room for four"
He probably doesn't want to be
bothered" was Johns conclusion, but
Id enjoy ride these hot days II
they'd take you. too"
Nellie would not take such an opti.
mistic view Of the case. They had
been so happy before the big house
went up beside them. but now, tho
whole peaceful routine Of tho day was
disturbed by the social functions
which presented a panorama of gay
gowns and Of whirling motor cars.
Today the motor cars were out in
full force. A morning bridge party
was In progress and there were i've
tables.
Nellie. with her sewing, sat In q
corner Of her porch. where, screened
by the vines. she could. watch the
guests. She could see Mrs. Went.
worth In exquisite white. and corals,
moving from table to table. Sudden.
ly she detached herself from tho
crowd. and came down over the ter.
races. and through the great gates.
why. she's coming here" said the
little woman.
II want to ask q favor" said the
gracious lady. standing in the arch by
the vines. "The florists haven't
brought any flowers for my table. I
telephoned. and find they have missed
the train. And-I wondered" she
hesitated.
"Oh. you want some Of my roses"
asked Nellie. quickly. "Why of course.
I've 90 many Of them"
How sweet Of YOU" said Mrs. Went
worth. Then she. too. hesitated. II
should be glad to pay you for them"
she said.
Nellie's face famed. "why-" she
stammered. why Mrs. Wentworth
why the idea-I couldn't think Of
tt"
II should feel more comfortable"
was the response.
"Well." Nellie's eyes were ominous-
ly bright, II should think the fact that
we are neighbors should make us will.
ing to do something for each other.
shouldn't IT."
"Neighbors?" vaguely. "Oh. yes"
Then as her eyes took In the plain lit.
tie place. with its signs Of rigid econ.
omy. she said again. "You ought to let
me pay-your roses are worth It,"
Nellie saw the look. and interpreted
Il. I'VE are not SO poor al that" she
said. slowly.
"Oh. my dear Mrs. Nesbit, didn't
mean-how could you think" It was
Mrs. Wentworth's turn to stammer,
The two women faced each other for
q moment. then Nellie said. III you'll
lot me give them to you. Ill 60 and
cut them" Something in her quiet
dignity made Mrs. Wentworth
acQuiesce without further remon-
STRANGE.
She went back to her guests while
Nellie shipped on big white beauties
and big pink ones. outwardly calm but
inwardly raging, II was all she could
do to keep back the tears. Was that
what her neighbor thought Of her?
She carried the flowers over. pres.
emily, going to the side door that she
might not be seen by the guests. A
little maid let her In.
"Oh, they're lovely" she said. but
I don't know what to do with thm.
Mrs. Wentworth asked me to arrange
them. But never did such thing
in my life. haven't . bit OF taste
that way"
Beyond the door Nellie could see