The Washington herald., 1914-01-14
Daily Short Story
THE PRIZE WINNER.
By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE
Copyright, leliD

(COpynght. lsliJ
When Lois Henry was jilted-that !.
what the good people of Waterbury called
IL when they talked among themselves
her friends were sure that the shock OF
the AFFAIR would be crushing. Lois was
so tender, so frail. so dependent. and she
had been deeply in love with Frederick
Dillon.
She had met him on the day of her
graduation from the Waterbury High
School. and that day had marked the
waning OF her youthful friendship with
brown-eyed, brown-haired Erwin Hayes,
and the beginning of her first real ro-
nance.
Some time later Frederick Dillon. fol-
lowing a sudden, ckle fancy, had dis
appeared from the place without any eX-
cuse othe- than a brief. incoherent mes
sage to Lois that It would be better for
them to part; and further explanation
came with the story OF an elopement in
voving a minister's daughter of a nearby
town.
The blow was crushing, but Lois bore
it bravely and silently. The eyes of
Waterbury watched her growing thinner
and paler. until she looked as il a good
breeze from the hills might carry her
away. The brown eyes of Erwin Hayes
watched her. too: but he dared not ex-
press the pity that was in his heart, nor
the longing he had 70 help her. Then one
day Lois seemed to rally and to take a
fresh grip on life. She had found balm
for her grief; diversion for her mind !;
work for her hands. She had taken to
gardening
Young Hayes saw her among her flow
ers one morning. He ventured to lean
upon the rail fence.
You've got a fine garden there. Lois, :"
he said, with cautious enthusiasm. Some
folks seem to take naturally to bringing
up plants. It's instinct"
She looked up from her pansy beds and
smiled family. 1T may be instinct, but
it's hard work, too. Erwin. But / love
it. Only there are so many things TO
learn
why don't you let me teach your" he
asked casually. I've served my time"
He laughed boyishly. You've never seen
my greenhouse, have you? I'm right
proud of it; helped to build it myself,
too"
I've heard of your success, said
Lois. She gazed at him wistfully. He
looked SO strong; so capable. II think
you taught me to be fond of growing
plants in the first place. Erwin. Do you
remember how We used to scour the
woods for varieties?
She spoke as IL she were recalling some
incident of long past youth. The young
mans heart thrilled. but his tanned face
was impassive. He rejolced to see the
pink of Lois cheeks, and the kindling
light in her sad blue eyes II she only
would let him help her!
iii stop in once in a while to say
How does your garden grown" he re-
marked. And remember. it's a pleasure
for me to answer questions about fiow-
ers"
The little garden thrived remarkably
well that season. Lois In her sun hat
was to be seen working among her
flowers every pleasant day, and when
Erwin came occasionally he did not lean
upon the fence. He opened the gate now,
and sat on the porch or in the small
arbor between the lines of rose bushes. |
cussed roses and slugs impartially.
Then Lois was invited to the new green |
house at the other end of the town, and
on the second invitation she went The |
eyes of Waterbury saw her riding
through the streets in Erwin Hayes new
runabout, with Erwin beside her Then
they knew what gardening was doing for |
Lois Henry!
During the winter, however, there was
4 lull in Lois affairs The interior of |
her home was an overflowing greenery:
put she did not see young Hayes often
now. One day she sent for him to advise
aer about some Japanese shrubs.
I've been thinking. Ervin-you won't
mind a competitor. will you? I'd like TO /
nave a little greenhouse Of my own"
Really. Lois? Do you want to 20 into
,usiness?'
I'm small way" She smiled shyly.
I won't cut prices and spoil your trade.
But think there's a place for me in
his part of Waterbury. I've been asked
o decorate for social Affairs already