The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-09-12

unconscious or all elsei until hllbhtS
splintering and throbbing crashed
upon her. At her very feet lay
confused mass of fence pales, crushed
flower stalks, an overturned runabout
and a mans scared face.
Ziola. her hands olasped over her
throbbing heart, stood In soundless
misery.
Are you hurt?" cried the man,
struggling to his feet in the midst OF
the wreckage.
Zlola did not stir.
For heaven sake, madam, speak TO
me! Are you injuredH"
NO" said ziola, bitterly. but look
at my beautiful fiowers!"
With a sob she flung her apron over
her face and dashed past his into the
house.
well, If that doesn't beat the
Dutch!" George Gibson stood still In
astonishment-angr astonishment,
Flowers! She does not think about
my life, or my ruined machine, or her
own narrow escaped"
He looked about ruefuny. 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 its escape beyond
the knocking off of considerable paint.
But the fence!
1T was about ready to fall down,
anyway" muttered Gibson, in no pleas
ant humor, but l 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 a fellow can't stay in them. !
can't see how on earth came 70 make
such a fluke!"
He hesitated a moment
81 expect I'll have to tell her I'll
come back and mend the fence, or she
will arrest me-" And he strode up to
the door and rang the old knocker
No response.
But surely she hears" he muttered,
ringing for the third time.
well, I'll come back tomorrow.
Maybe it is just as we'll 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-
it. For the first time in her life she
refused herself to her neighbors, when
they came to inquire about the wreck
age.
81 can't see them, and go out there
and look and talk it over and over"
she whispered fiercely when she heard
some one coming. II just cannot do
it,"
Her wondering fowls went supper
less to their early perch, because she
dared not venture out to feed them.
She sat on in the darkened house, not
trying to stem her grief and disap-
pointment.
When Ziola went forth bravely next
morning, able to smile grimly about
her adventure, she found box on her
back porch.
Upon the top, when the wooden coV-
er was removed, was note begging
her to accept the contents in part rep
aration for the damage done her gar
den. 1t was filled with bulbs of many
shapes and colors.
This doesn't help my Easter offer
ing" she said, but suppose ought
to be grateful for such a fine collec-
ton"
And when a little later the damaged
runabout stopped decorously before
what was left of her gate, she opened
the door with her usual graciousness
at the first ring.
"Ah-good morning" The man held
out his card
Ziola smiled when she read It,
rs 1t possible this is Cousin Madys
Cousin George?" she inquired.
80 learned last night when / told
her about my blunder," Gibson smiled
in response. And believe me, Miss
Potter, was more sorry than before
If possible. I've come this morning TO
do what / can toward restoring order
out of this chaos"
THAT Is quite unnecessary, assure
you" she answered. "A fence is sup
posed to be a protection against the
intrusion Of strangers. Mine proved
entirely inadequate when put to the
test, so 1t is equally unnecessary to re-
place It,"
"We'll settle that later Now, Miss
Potter. tie a veil over your hair and
come with me. I promised Cousin
Mary I'd bring you over for dinner"
Ziola was surprised to find herself
enjoying her ride, and later allowing
him to bring her home through the
fragrant twilight.
Next day he insisted upon replacing
the broken fence, and then in planting
the flower border with the new bulbs
Miss Potter assisted as a matter OF
conscience.
And last of all, on Saturday after
noon, she found in the old parlor such
a mass of beautiful lilies as she had
never dreamed of possessing.
How angry and impatient was,
she cried contritely, "and here can
make my flower offering after all.
In the early morning, ziola entered
the little church, her arms aching with
their beautiful burden, her heart full
Of rejoicing.
But she stopped in amazement wnen
she lefted her eyes. The chancel was
a bower of loveliness. The air was ,
heavy with franprance
"Ziola," cried George Gibson, com
Ing quickly toward her, do you IKE
it? 1t is your Easter offering"
"It is beautiful" whispered ziola.
"And now, dear child" taking her