The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-06-20

oil glared at Jimmy. With a gradual
tagging interest in sweet peas they
made their silent way to the summer
house.
After wash at the pump they took
up a position in the arbor where the
pink sunbonnet might remain within
vision. They vouchsafed no word to
each other and each was conscious Of
a desire to go back to the sweet pea
hedge and be near the girl who was
( industriously clipping with her big
scissors.
Sylvia dear!" they heard her call
to some one in the house, will you
bring out plate of my fresh cook
ies?"
A moment later Jimmy half started
from his seat. Carroll was already
standing.
A slim girl in blue sunbonnet that
half concealed a pair of laughing gray
eyes came out of the house. She car
ried tray upon which plate Of
cookies and a pitcher of lemonade in
yited the thirsty eyes.
Jimmy and Carroll watched her join
her sister beside the sweet pea hedge.
A laugh floated from under the blue
bonnet and then the two girls made
their way toward the summer house.
One carried a bunch of pink sweet
peas and the other the tray.
81 have only ninety-nine pink ones"
Barbara's tone conveyed regret. do
you think-she-would count them?"
Sure to do So" two masculine
voices exclaimed, and with an air of
certainty not 10 be questioned.
"Oh, dear!" sighed the girl in the
pink bonnet and turned to her sister
in the blue. Put the tray down any
way, dear. Even if these gentlemen
do not have to do another Marathon
they may as well fortify themselves
against the return"
"Barbara-couldn't you spare just
one blossom from the hot house-to
make up the"
Not by any means!" Jimmy cried
quickly.
1T wouldn't he fair!" put in Carroll
with hasty look into the eyes be-
meath the blue bonnet. The girl
flushed under the look.
Then you will just have to risk
ninety-nine," Barbara said with we'll
modulated sympathy.
Suddenly Jimmy smiled at Carroll
and Carroll held out a hand to Jimmy,
She's yours, old man." their voices
were as one. The smile faded from
each face and their chances drew
apart.
Since the gentlemen are so gener-
ous-toward one another" put in
Sylvia demurely while suppressed
laughter played havoc with her voice,
perhaps We had better toss a coin to
see which one wins the lady's-the
sweet peas.
~ am afraid my cycle is out Of COM
mission" Jimmy lied.
81 couldn't run another foot If had
a million at stake" Carroll lamented
the fact with an exaggerated sigh of
WEAKNESS.
you are a fine specimen!" Jimmy
put in.
Your cycle must be very cheap
make" Carroll remarked by way OF re-
turn.
The two men unable longer to re-
strain themselves, burst into laughter,
Silvery, rougish feminine laughter
followed
simultaneously Jimmy and Carroll
put hands to their pockets and drew
forth cards and placed them carefully
upon the rough table.
my mother" said Jimmy, as pas
sionately fond of sweet peas"
~ have an aunt" Carroll put in with
tender infection, whose one hobby is
a bunch of fresh sweet peas every
day"
"In that case you must each have
half of these. Barbara blushed as she
divided the blossoms.
A momoment later a motor cycle
that throbbed up the road and a man
on foot, with no sign of fatigue, were
being followed by two pairs Of eyes.
The ones under the blue bonnet turned
to the ones under the pink.
Shall We toss for them, Barbara"
But fate tossed, instead, and the two
girls found husbands by this chance
meeting among the flowers.