The Washington herald., 1914-01-14

and some designs I sent out were muc
| admired"
Good for you"' cried Erwin heartily
You'll beat me out yet"
| Lois looked at him reproachfuIly
That would be ungratefuI. And / d
appreciate all you have done for me
| Erwin
He leaned toward her with a sIov
| deepening on his features and his brown
eyes yearning; and then he saw the gir
recoil slightly.
Have you any plans for your green
house?' he asked briskIy. Il know
| man who'll do the work. and do It gooS
and cheap. And III superintend the job.
Waterbury folks were sOmewha
puzzled when Lois Henry's new green
house met their view. II seemed tC
predict a prosaic ending to an affail
| they would have invested with sentiment
By spring Lois was fairly launched ii
, her new profession. Her deft finger,
were wonderfully clever when it came e
making up decorative effects.
There was a prize offered by the com.
mittee of the State fair that year for the
best original floral design, and Lois de
cided to compete. Her name was next
to Erwin's on the list. and they jested
on the matter and made much mystery
out of their individual plans.
Lois thought long and deeply over her
competitive design-what should il be:
Finally she decided TO send a commence.
ment day emblem. a floral offering that
should be symbolic of the beginning OF
the girl graduates new life
Where the brook and river meet
Standing with reluctant feet.
She recalled her own graduation day
the day when the wonderful world beck
at the gateway with outstretched hand.
Love had not come to her then: recog-
nized love such as had glorified the years
that followed; but she could remember
even now the thrilling hopes and dreams
which blossomed into life at that time.
Budding maidenhood-the star of love
ahead-roses and sunshine, and the gos-
samer fabric of enchanting visions. Lois
saw her beautiful fancies take shape as
she worked feverishly over her design. 1t
was exquisite, a fairy basket of silvered
reeds. overhung with delicate vines; a
border OF lilies of the valley; centered
rosebuds. each one a marvel of pink per-
fection graced by feathery sprays of
maidenhair fern: and over all winding
streamers of airy white tulle-
Lois regarded her finished work with
tears in her eyes. She had worked more
of symbolism into the design than she
had, thought 1t stood for her own bios
soming Hfe-betore the blight came!
In the horticultural department the
basket bearing the card of Lois Henry
occupied conspicuous place Erwin
Hayes was the one who bore the news
to her-her design had been awarded the
first prize,
And I got the second" he laughed.
Alone and pensive, Lois was standing
before her favored emblem. when a bass
voice spoke her name softly over her
shoulder.
Lois, may I congratulate you. too?'
She shivered, and the color fled from
her face. Then she turned bravely.
Frederick Dillon stood beside her!
II wouldn't dare speak TO you, Lois,
but for that" he whispered. noddinS at
her graduation day basket. You have
not forgotten that day-neither have !.
What a fool 1 have been! But, Lois-I
am free again. Did you know
NO; 1 have known nothing but my
work.
She forced herself to meet his gaze.
He was watching her anXiously. and he
saw her color return and her slender
form relax The hurt look faded out Of
her eyes and she smiled. Somehow. that
smile embarrassed him. I'm afraid /
startled you, but ! was so glad to see
you," he said humbly. 1--WE are alone
for a moment, but the people will be COM
Ing in. When I get a chance-as soon as
we get away from here-I'll tell you why
I came
She answered calmly. I'm glad you
spoke to me; glad to see you again.
could not be sure till this moment that
I no longer care!
Lois! But have come-I want to talk
with you. They told me L would find You
here. Let me 20 home with your!
Lois nodded brightly over his shoulder
to some one approaching. I'm ready.
Erwin" she said. ..Mr. Dillon has been
the prize winner. Thanks
-and good-by. Mr.. Dillon"
She swept past him with her head high
and her eyes shining. Her hand reached
out to Erwin Hayes; and, as
the young man drew 1t protectively
through his arm. he realized, in sud-
len flash of understanding, that the prize
he had long sought was to be his at last.