The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-29
TEE EVENING STORY
Flower MaidenS.
by Philip Kean-1

Everybody laughs DIT uSS SeAA~ -
let.
"Weu. why shouldn't they?" Lily:
who was big black haired and req
checked, demanded. could there pos
sibly be anything more 1ncongruous
than our names? The idea or your
being Violet when you nave poylsn
tastes and red hair and hate c1nglhg'
droopy, feminine things. AS for me-
I am more like a cabbage than a lily,
and Rose is plain and practlcal anu
not bit of a beauty, and Pansy ism
bit houIhtful-she's like you-sne
horseback and tennis than for any
thing -wIfely."
Iris is the only one whose name
fits her." said Violet, slowly Shes
SO tall and stately, and she dresses
to suit her name-she looks SO Wei
YES, she does.' said Lily, without
enthusiasm, but she gets them at the
expense of all the rest of US, vi"
vi nodded. She has a new Inauve
chiffon for the Country club dance
It's lovely thing, with purple vel
vet panel and some touches OF silver
green. She is a perfect reproduction
of her name flower in it"
1.-The rest of US will go in old gowns,
said Lily bitterly. II don't care for
rnyself-but you are the youngest, vi,
and you haven't had your chance.
bravely. I'm wear my old green SILK.
And I have mothers pearls"
Poor mother" said Lily, slowly.
How all of her plans for US have
failed! When she married a man
named Flower, she made up her mind
that if there was ever girl baby II
should be called by a blossom name.
And there were five of US. and I was
the first and we are all SO plain, and
her sense of eternal fitness is only
satisfied by Iris beauty-but she loves
us-dear mother
this moment. had an appealing look
in her eyes. What shall you wear to
the dance, Violet?" she asked.
my green silk" said vi, and Lily's
going to make over her old white
lace
Il am sure you will look very NICE"
the mother said. Then with some
hesitation: AZ was sorry to give Iris
the only new gown. but she really
needed it. didn't she?"
In the face of that wistful appeal
the two girls gasped hastily, "Of
Counsel"
poor dear" said Violet as the little
woman went YEARLY on her way. Iris
positively holds her up for new clothes"
Did you know said Lily, slowly,
that Bob Taylor will be at the dancer"
Violet whirel around. He is home
from the Philippines? Oh, Lily, who
told your"
He called I'D. He wanted to see
WI. answered the phone and told
him you were at Lancaster and Wouldn' t
be back until today. And then Iris
said she wanted to talk to him, and
he came over Sunday"
And he's going TIC take her?' Violet
demanded.
"Yes-that's the reason for the new
gown
There was silence after that. and
presently the sisters kissed and sepa-
rated But the kiss was the token of
their understanding.
Its a shame Lily. confided later
to Pansy, Bob has always liked vi
She makes all the rest of us seem
rough and rude by comparison"
perhaps we are" said Pansy, cheer |
fully, perhaps it wouldn't hurt US
to mend our manners, Liz
Perhaps not" Lily was absorbed
in her argument, but he likes Wis
breeziness, and now-oh. If Iris breaks
this up, I'll feel as if I couldn't for |
give her"
"She doesn't understand" said Pansy, |
gently, what it means to feel deeply
and perhaps we have all made her |
selfish. Lii We just let her have things |
and she doesn't realize that we go
without
well, if she butts in with Bob and |
vi" said Lily, slangily, Il shant for |
give her in a minute"
IF Bob let's her break it off, said |
plain Rose, who was sewing placidly |
by the window of the little sitting |
room, .'he won't be worth keeping"
THAT'S So" said Pansy-
The night of the Country club dance, |
vi wore her old silk. The cut was
somewhat out of date, so that her
slender figure looked bulky when COM
nared to the modish silhCuettes about |
the best dressed woman in the room.
Iilv. raging, sat out lance in the
her. Iris, graceful and ethereal, was
palm room with Bob Taylor.
.Im going to tell you all about it,
she almost sobbed. wi had to come
in that old dress, because Iris was SO
selfish. The rest of US always wear
old things. Iris has the best
Bob, being a gentleman, hated fam
iIv ouarrels Hence he defended Iris.
ssShe makes her gowns, she tells me-
he said land thus reduces the ex-
pense.'
I'VE all make our things said Lily,
Indignantly, Except VI
wi is not bousewifely," Bob said,
gently: 'she is a dear girl, but-no-l
She is not housewifely." Then he left
hex
Left alone, Lily wept. and then
there came to her a man whom she
seemed to recognize in spite of the adj
ded years which had given him height
and strength and beauty.
s.Philip Boone she cried, when did
you Gomez"
IAN hour ago." he said: Il went
first to the house, wanted to see Vi