The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-12-16
SWEET PEAS
BY ARTHUR w. PEACH,

tween two large buildings, golden with
It's many electric lights, stood THE
Flower Shop" the abode Of the spirit
of the woods and the field in will
derness builded by men the one beau
tiful spot along the busy city street
dusky with early evening. Its small
window was banked with flowers of a
hundred hues at which many stopped
to look and passed on with signs of
longing or content, while others were
lured within, to spend for a few hours
fieeting beauty, a sum perhaps dearly
earned.
Before the window Stanley Lambert
paused. He was sober of mind and
sober Of heart. That night was to be
the most eventful of his life, for the
reason that Alison Lane, long loved
by him and Merton Roberts, had prom
ised to tell them which one she loved
the mora.
He had planned to send flowers but
he was sorely puzzled as to what to
send. She was a lover Of flowers. To
her they had language and a mean
ing and he wanted his gift to bear to
her some hint of his love for her Rob
erts, one of the wealthiest young men
In the city, would find the proposition
easy of solution; he would simply or
der the best and costliest flowers sent
to her-roses, probably, at that sea-
son, full, se-petaled, gorgeous roses,
classic emblems of beauty and love.
Lambert knew it was possible for him
to order likewise, but his income,
though satisfactory, was limited, and
the sending of such costly flowers
would seem in bad taste to her. His
great desire, moreover, was to have
his gift some intimate expression of
Understanding that would go to
her with his whole-hearted belief in
them; the rose had seemed to him
always too naughty, too cold, to carry
the warm message of the heart
He stood before the window long
enough for inspiration to come, but
that elusive spirit did not so much as
breathe upon him; and, not knowing
just what to do, but determined to do
something, he went into the shop.
Kainer, the portly German proprie-
tor, came forward, his kindly eyes
lighting with recognition.
What may 1t be, Lambert, flowers
for someone?" he queried, a swift
twinkle in his eyes. Many times since
he had begun to keep his shop he had
been sending flowers to many some
one" for many somebody"
Lambert nodded, and as he looked
into the genial face of the old German,
it occurred to him that he might tell
the story and ask the florists help in
selecting the bearers OF the message.
After the thought came the decision.
Kainer listened, no longer smiling.
The situation called for expert advice
on his part and earnest consideration.
His own reputation and the reputation
of his flowers were at stake-so 1t ap-
peared to him.
When Lambert finished his state
ment Of the proposition, Kainer said
"Ah. understand. You want to send
her the flowers to talk to her, is it
scftly-"what can 1t not do? Flowers
can speak better than the lips Yes!
they talk the language of the heart
Roses? No! they are too proud!
They touch the mind, the sight, yes?
What shall 1t be-" His placid brow
wrinkled in thought "Ah, l have it.
Gomez"
He led Lambert to a small room in
the back of the shop, and delving
eagerly into a glass compartment
where the cool dew hung like thou
sands Of shining diamonds, he brought
up his suggestion-a bunch of sweet
peas.
Lambert stared at them with open
admiration. by Jove, Kainer, that's
that's just the thing. Aren't they
beautiful! Talk about harmony Of
colors-say!"
Kainer, his eyes taking on a Pc
culiar starriness that characterized
them when his flowers were praised
touched one or two as mother touch
es the rose in her baby's cheek.
Yes, friend" he said contentedly,
sent them in today. Never has he
sent before such beautiful bunch.
This bunch l took it out to keep for
myself; but to you l give it. May 1t
speak to her! l, myself, will pack 1t,
and I will take 1t to her. And, boy
let me know-how it comes Quit"
Under the spell of the Germans
M hoa cd inf onthnci
asm, and his evident belief that his
sweet peas would win any maiden's
heart, Lambert left the store with a
light heart, and 1t remained with him
at his restaurant. By the time he had
reached his rooms and was dressing,
the little imps of doubt had taken pos
session of him. He recalled that she
had given him no hint of any pref
erence for him.
Roberts was a pleasant, agreeable
chap sunny of nature and temper, fin
ished of manner and appearance
all ways one who would make a good
life comrade. 1t seemed foolish to
think of the flowers in the way he
had been; how little, after all, they
would have to do with influencing her
in such a matter She could not help
admiring the sweet peas, but they
would certainly seem and look cheap
beside the glowing roses of Roberts.
Yet he had chosen them sincerely,
with a wish that they might have
meaning to her Flowers do have a
meaning to men; from the daisy
whose petals unveil loves future to
the lily on the pulseless breast, they
have stood for much, and weighed
heavily in the intricate and fine bal
ances Of life.
From his block he took taxicab to
her home. He mounted the steps with
determination, and the smiling maid
ushered him into a room known in the
house as the den" AS he entered he
caught sight of Roberts rgses. and
stopped short-wonderful roses they
were, in a great jar so placed that the
light fell upon them in such way as
to give them an almost mystic beauty.
The sweet peas-how plebeian, plain
and cheap the name sounds-were no.
where to be seen.
sensation of deadening inertia
went over him; around him crumbled
the dreams he had builded and his life
echoed like a hollow thing. The flow
ers told the STORY. they were her an