The Irish standard., 1913-06-07
HIS PRIZE ROSES
To Him Their Loss Filled the
Whole World With Fra
grant Blossoms.
By cLARlssA MAcKle.

BY cLARlssA MAcKlE.
Mrs. Madison looked forlornly at hel
sister as Barbara entered the room.
What ia the matter, Altce?" asked
Barbara quickly.
Barker hasn't sent the roses for
the table tonight"
We'll. 1t is only o'clock-perhaps
ii you call him on the telephone"
my DEAR" Mrs. Madison spoke rath.
or petulantly. 1--WE called and called
and the only reply can get is They
do not answer"
There is only one thing to do,
then" said Barbara with her custo.
mary decision: Il will go up and
dress and IL the roses are not here
by that time will 60 after them my.
SELF"
"You will get 80 mussy," sighed
Mrs. Madison. "But it seems the only
way. l will have Clark get the run.
about around. would send him, only
he is so stupid-doesn't know the
country around here"
HE has been in Westlawn two
days." excused Barbara; 1--WE only
been here day and half myself,
but I believe I have covered every
square inch Of ground in the county"
well, hurry along--and II you bring
my roses on time / promise to send
you in with Forbes Baker. although
was saving him for myself"
Barbara laughed. Don't bother
about any reward, Allie. Let me see.
VIVA was your order?"
1.-TWO dozen American Beauties.
He has plenty, for he told me so yes
terday when ordered them
Barbara fastened with her toilet
and in an incredibly short time she
flew down the stairs buttoning a long
silk motor coat over her pink dinner
gown. my slippers and gloves are
in the alcove in the library-I'll put
them on when l como in," she called
as she drove away in the little electric
| runabout.
The runabout slid noiselessly down
the incline to the smooth road that
wandered here and there among the
beautiful summer homes perched on
the green hills of Westlawn.
Turn to the left" murmured Bar.
bara when she reached the foot of the
hill.
The left-hand road wound around a
wooded knoll dropping down to the
river. On one side was the sloping
descent to Ripple river and the other
was blank stone wall enclosing acres
of field and meadow and woodland.
First gate on the left" Barbara re.
minded herself Of her sisters last in.
structions, and presently she turned
1 in between two rustic pillars draped
I in Virginia ereepers. "' +" .
A laborer trudging his homeward
way stepped out Of the path of the
car.
"Is this Barker's?" asked Barbara,
pleasantly.
"Yah." nodded the man carelessly.
and went on.
Barker has TASTE" commented Bar.
bara as she whirled UP the driveway
under dropping elms.
One arm of the drive swept around
to the front entrance of a long. gray.
shingled. old-fashioned house half hid.
| den under Virginia creepers and
honeysuckles. The other arm led
straight ahead past the west wing of
the house, along by tennis court and
ended at a row Of greenhouses set in
several acres of q glowing garden.
Against the blurred masses of color
the rose garden in the foreground
stood out strongly in it's pinks and
whites. Near the path that bordered
the garden was huge wooden tub
which held magnificent American
Beauty rose bush.
Barbara paused before it with lit.
tie cry of delight. Perfection of form.
color and texture of leaf, together
with its crown Of twenty beautiful
roses, made it worthy Of q prize exhi-
bition.
Time was flying and Alice was wait
ing for her roses. Barbara hammered
at the greenhouse door with her
i gloved fists but the door was locked.
She sped over to the quiet old gray
hclse and knocked at the closed
kitchen door. There came no re-
Spouse.
/ Back she few to the rose garden,
picking up pair of shears from a
bench in passing.
A search of the garden showed that
the tub contained the onlv American
Beauty rose bush. A hurried peep
into the different hothouses merely
disclosed long rows of empty benches.
well. here goes" said Barbara
recklessly, and she carefully shipped
the twenty roses from the big tree,
feeling pang Of remorse as she
looked 1t it, denuded branches. =.
II wish people wouldn't cut flow.
ers," she murmured. conscicnce.strick.
en-. as she entered the car with her
fragrant burden. Now, II Alice had
only ordered the whole tree transport.
ed to the dining room and let US gazed
upon it-well-it's too late, now!"
As she turned out Of the avenue
into the road, Barbara heard q shout