The Red Cloud chief., 1913-04-17
z|0LA'S OFFERING
There Were Many Beautiful In.
les, but Her Own Dear Self
Counted Most
~ GEORGIA LOTT SETTER.

called a very charming woman. How
ever. In her own, plain-speaking little
community, people wondered why on
earth she didn't marry and live like
other folks!
There was no use in trying to con-
ceal such apparent facts as the leak.
Ing OF the roof. and the coldness OF
rafting windows and loosened clap.
boards. or that most Of her scanty liv-
Ing came from the little garden and a
Few hens In house az dilapidated as
that Of their mistress.
But Ziola managed In some unimag.
Unable way to wear frocks of dainti-
ness and style beyond most Of her
neighbors. And she could loop back
her frayed curtains. arrange her an.
tiquated furniture on her faded car.
pets. and serve tea from her delicate
old cups with an air that every one
,of them envied
Having neither husband nor child to
absorb her attention. her one great in.
'terest In life had grown to be the up
holding Of family tradition. And Just
what task this Is for two slender
hands and still slenderer purse. only
those who have tried can know.
One day in rumaging through some
old papers. she came across this sig.
Inincant item In one Of her mothers &C.
counts:
Made our usual Easter Offering"
Usual Easter Offering. What on
earth has she to offer? But an offer
Ishe must make!
Ziola counted on her fingers-she
had never had much experience with
|hgures except in subtraction-there
were eight months Of intervening
time.
But time was of no account. After
. sleepless night. the great idea came
to her.
Flowers! She already had the best
garden in the little village. and her
flowers were all that ever graced the
bare. little church on Easter. But this
year-and every year to come-there
should be banks Of flowers, until the
congregation learned to look upon
them as her usual Easter offering!"
A warm. sunny strip along the front
Of the garden was chosen. and spaded
painstakingly.
She knew every trick Of fertilizing
and working the soil. planting the
bulbs and protecting them through the
winter.
In the early spring, when other gar
dens were still wet and cold, the green
GnrnntS hQUan n ind OF i<,,,c
ly. She counted every stem. every
leaf, every blossom.
Il love everyone Of you." Ziola whis-
pered, you beauties! There is just
one week left for you to grow-you
must hurry-hurry!"
Bending above them absorbed In
their beauty. and fragrance, she was
unconscious Of all else, until q mighty
eplintering and throbbing crashed
upon her. At her very feet lay
confused mass of fence pales, crushed
flower stalks. an overturned runabout
and mans scared face.
Ziola, her hands clasped over her
throbbing heart. stood in soundless
misery.
Are you hurt?" cried the man,
struggling to his feet in the midst of
the wreckage.
Ziola did not stir.
For heaven sake. madam. speak to
me! Are you injured?"
NO." said Ziola. bitterly. but look
at my beautiful dowers!"
With sob she flung her apron over
her face and dashed past his into the
house.
We'll. II that doesn't beat the
Dutch!" George Gibson stood still in
astonishment-angry astonishment.
Flowers! She does not think about
my life. or my ruined machine. or her
own narrow escape!"
He looked about ruefully. A farmer
driving slowly down the otherwise de.
serted street. came at his call. and
they soon had the machine righted and
back In the uneven road, apparently
none the worse for it's escape beyond
the knocking of Of considerable paint.
But the fence!
1T was about ready to fall down.
anyway" muttered Gibson. In no pleas.
ant humor, but I expect Miss Pep.
perbox thinks ! had no business ca
rening into It. And think the coun.
try has no business to have such roads
that fellow can't stay In them.
can't see how on earth came to make
such q Auke!"
He hesitated a moment.
II expect I'll have to tell her I'll
come back and mend the fence. or she
will arrest me-" And he strobe up to
the door and rang the old knocker.
No response.
But surely she hears" he muttered.
ringing for the third time.
We'll, I'll come back tomorrow
Maybe It is just as well not to see
her today!" And he smiled grimly as
he climbed into his machine and
whirred away.
Ziola sat still In bitterness of spir.
1t. For the first time In her life she
ref,lsed herself to her neiQhhora whap