The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-24
MISS BRADFORD's HOLLYHOCKS


Eugene Sargent"
Eugene Sargent! That mani
why--Land. Miss Elinor. guess It's
lucky thing you never married
him.
Her mistress smiled while the other
went on. Pom the whole, when /
see how different folks turns out
from what you think they're gotn'
to when they're young, wonder half
the married folks are as happy as
they be-"
faded, later flowers blossomed and
were gone. while Elinor realized that
the dream of her life, hitherto but
half acknowledged, had gone AZ well.
but life went on, II not quite the
same, at least as contentedly as be-
fore Eugene Sargent's visit.
The winter wore away. and the old
garden was once more In bloom when
one morning Elinor was arranging
some flowers out on the piazza, she
heard an automobile approaching,
and looked up. The next instant she
spprang to her feet. Two children
playing near by started suddenly to
cross the street. They were In the
path of the oncoming vehicle.
She covered her eyes instinctively.
The next moment there was a crash.
and tremblingly she looked out. The
autctst. at the risk OF his own life,
had avoided the children by steering
against a large rock rising on one
side OF the roadway. The car was
badly damaged. and its one occupant
lay beside IT unconscious.
Elinor ran down the steps and
knelt beside the still figure. In him
she saw a stranger, perhaps forty
81 k~a Ahn nj
with touches Of gray in his dark hair.
She ran for Joel. who, with a passing
neighbor. carried the man into the
house. A doctor was sent for. ana
meantime Elinor bathed his forehead
and bound up the cut on his head. A
letter had fallen from his pocket; the
name upon ii was Charles +. Taylor.
and a Chicago address.
In due time DIR. Sprague arrived.
His patient must have a few stitches
taken. but just yet he could not tell
as to how much or little he might
otherwise be injured.
Can you keep him here. Miss Brad
ford, for a day or two?" he asked. Il
would rather not have him moved at
present
She could keep him. of course, but
| Ii was not until the following morn
ling that the strange man opened his
eyes to realization of his surround
ings.
Where am Ie'' we're his first words.
Elinor moved over beside him. You
have been hurt" she answered. "and
we are taking care of YOU
Several moments later he asked a
second question. What happened p
You risked your life TO gave two
little children"
mid fber---asye1 -
oh, oh, yes
| A few days later DR.. sprague pro-
nounced his patient out Of danger.
There Mr.. Taylor" Ei!nor began
one morning as she placed d bouquet
ON the table beside him, II am bring
ing bits OF my garden 10 you, but
soon. j hope. You can go to the gar
| den. I particularly want you to see
nay holishocks'
| the man'a fame. II wonder why you
all call me Taylor
In surprise Elinor explained. u
See" he said then. land ] am from
| Chicago, but my name happens TO be
| WyTnan-Tom Wyman."
| His companion gasped. Tom Wy
mani" she exclaimed. and l never
+, mistrusted it."
| Il must have changed more than
you have. the maa went on, i
| would have known you anywhere"
| Whareupon. to her own indignant
amazement. Elinor found herseii
blushinS like 81 school girl.
Fer several years | have been In.
| tending to come back to the old
,aome." the man continued. but il
never came right till now. i hoped
to call upon you while here, but ! did
not intend TO literally hurt myself Al
your door as I seem to have done. Sc
you see, have seen your garden, but
| for that reason i am all the mort
anxious TO see It now
| A week later his wish was realized
and as they walked through the ole
| garden ne was telling more of hi.
life to his companion than ever be
| fore. But" he ended grayeIy, -
have never married. There has never
been any sne---else."
| They walked ON I'm silence for q
/ moment. before he paused 'iookini
| down at her. Her glance met his ane
fell before it, Then with all th'
longing of twenty yesrs he reached
out his arms. "Elino-''
And Without word she went Il
him. little later he took a small
case from his pocket and held IL
contents before her.
do sou remember that?" he ask
ed.
1t was a faded. pink hollyhock.