Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1911-10-25
Orchids
By JANE OSBORNE

flowers, anyway, and obviously there
were other girls in the world as I'M
happy as she was She went to
corner flower stand and bought
bunch of American beauty roses, and
pinned them where the orchids had
been.
III just let him think l am wear
ing somebody else's flowers, and let
him see how it feels to be jealous,
she said.
John and Leila went to the theater
that evening, as they had planned
Leila was consciously her lovliest,
and she realized that John was more
than ever in love with her. Neither
of them spoke of the ride in the sub
way.
81 say, Leila" said John, in the
first intermission; did that Ounce of
florist send roses? ordered or
chids-I know you like them best"
"Oh, no., said Leila lightly. Don't
you suppose any one but you sends
me flowers?"
But Leila" objected John, you
wouldn't wear them? Surely you
wouldn't let somebody else's flowers
take the place of mine"
Leila was silent; she turned away
so that she need not see the look of
doubt and suffering in Johns eyes.
A familiar voice behind her caught
her ear-the voice of the girl who
had sold her the lace.
Well, l can't help it, can l." it
said, IF he sends me fiowers?''
mo, no" cried a deep response
Leila knew it was the floorwalker-
But just tell me you're notch, Hes
ter, you're not going to marry him
are you? I always thought you knew
how l felt, but when ! saw those
flowers and asked you if he had Civ
en- them to you-why | knew then
what it was to be jealous, and then
decided to make you promise tonight
to marry me. But, if you're promised
to him if you let him spend all his
money on flowers like that
Leila resolutely turned back to
John.
Who was that pretty girl in the
subway with you this afternoon,
John?" she demanded.
THAT pretty girl? That was my
cousin Lucy-from Montreal. Uncle
Bob telegraphed me to meet her at
the uptown station to take her down
to the steamboat dock to meet my
aunt. They're going to Europe. But
| don't see what that's got to do with
those confounded flowers"
q do" said Leila, smilingly
through tear-filled eyes. "Oh. John,
I've been such a goose, John. l was
jealous Just wait a minute"
She turned suddenly to the girl be-
lind her who was trying to explain
away the presence Of the costly or
chids.
Should you mind" said Leila. ''if
| took back the flowers l gave yoa
this afternoon"
Hester Clark started at the sound
of the familiar voice.
You did give them to me, didn't
your" she asked, this afternoon be-
cause / was so blue and down-heart-
ed
Yes" said Leila, laughing, be
cause you were so awfully interested
in young floorwalker who was talk
ing with a girl at the counter oppo-
site"
She turned away from the happy
but embarrassed faces.
John" she whispered, as the cur
tain started up, Il bought the roses.
Here are my flowers-the ones you
sent me. l let somebody else have
them because / was jealous of that
pretty little cousin-I sat opposite
you in the subway you never no
ticed me. And l thought the flowers
might make the other girl happy"
Leila sought and found forgiveness
in John Vests eyes before the lights
went out; and she knew that the two
behind her were as happy as she and
John were.