The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-07-03
HIS PRIZE ROSES
To Him Their Loss Filled the
Whole World With Fra
grant Blossoms.
By cLARISSA MAckIE.

!
sister as Barbara entered the room.
What is the matter, Alice?" asked
Barbara quickly.
Barker hasn't sent the roses for
the table tonight"
| We'll, it is only o'clock-perhaps
if you call him on the telephone"
my DEAR" Mrs. Madison spoke rath-
er 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 60 up and
dress and if the roses are not here
by that time l will go after them my
self"
you will get so mussy," sighed
Mrs. Madison. But it seems the only
way l will have Clark get the rum
| about around. 1 would send him, only
! he is so stupid-doesn't know the
, country around here"
He has been in Westlawn two
| days." excused Barbara; I've only
been here a day and a half myself,
| but l believe l have covered every
square inch of ground in the county"
We'll, hurry along-and If you bring
my roses on time l 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,
what was your order?"
1.-TWO dozen American Beauties.
He has plenty, for he told me so yes
terday when l ordered them"
Barbara fastened with her toilet
and in an incredibly short time she
flew down the stairs buttoning long
! silk motor coat over her pink dinner
,, gown. my slippers and gloves are
in the alcove in the library-Ill put
them on when l come 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
|
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
in between two rustic pillars draped
| in Virginia creepers.
A labOrer trudging his homeWard
way stepped out of the path of the
car.
rs 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 long, gray
sningled, 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 row of greenhouses set il
several acres of a 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 a huge wooden tub
which held a magnificent American
Beauty rose bush.
Barbara paused before it with a lit
tie cry of delight. Perfection of form,
color and texture of leaf, together
with it's crown of twenty beautiful
roses, made it worthy of prize exhi-
bition.
Time was flying and Alice was wait
ing for her roses. Barbara hammered
at the greenhouse door with her
gloved fists but the door was locked.
She sped over to the quiet old gray
house and knocked at the closed
kitchen door. There came no re-
spouse.
Back she flew to the rose garden,
picking up a pair of shears from q
bench in passing.
A search of the garden showed that
the tub contained the only 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 a pang of remorse as she
looked at it's denuded branches.
Il wish people wouldn't cut flow
ers," she murmured, conscience-strick-
en-, as she entered the car with her
fragrant burden. Nov, if 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 a shout
behind. She turned and saw a man
running fleetly from the veranda of
the house.
"Stop!" he cried authoritatively.
"You are too late, Mr.. Barker"
smiled Barbara saucily to herself, and
the little car darted forward and was
soon out of sight around the bend of
the road