Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-07-22
THE PRIZE WINNER.
BY Gila Randall Psaree.
Copyright. 1914, by the Mcclure News

the affair would be crushing. Lois was
10 'eh hoe SO f,ail; so dependent: and she
Dillon.
Sne mad met him ON the day OF her grad
ualIon IRON the Waterbury high school.
a anu mat DAY had marked the waning of
orown-haired Erwin Hayes, and the be-
Slnning OF her arst real romance.
some time later Frederick Dillon. fol-
lowing q sudden. nckle fancy. had disap-
peared from the place without any ex.
cuse other than a brief. incoherent mes
ssSe to Lois that 1t would be better for
came with the story OF an opmen in
volvinE a ministers daughter of "a nearby
The blow was crushing. but Lois bore it
bravely and silently. The eyes of Water
bury watched her growing thinner and
paler. until she looked as II a good breeze
ION ION. ne nils might carry her away. The
Drown eyes of Erwin Hayes watched her.
!oo: put he dared not express the pity
sna' was IN MS heart. nor the longing ne
=, 70 help her. Then one day Lois seemed
she had found balm for her grief: di-
version for her mind: work for her hands.
sne mad taken to gardening.
1oung Hayes saw her among her now
ers one morning. He ventured to lean
upon the rail fence.
no Yon got a fine garden there. Lois"
folks seem to take naturally to bringing
up plants. It's instinct"
she looked up from her pancy beds and
i nm'' hard 5a, maEx too ,lt may may be n INSTINCT av bit
only there are so many things to learn"
,sn Mhy don't you let me teach you?" he
ffsi laughed ssedH soyi.hl sve " sssysa mS 1'% seen
my greenhouse. nave you? I'm right
proud of it: helped to build it myself, too"
sbs I've . ~, heard Of Your success. said Lois.
strong: so capable. Il think. you taught
me to be fond OF growing plants in the
first place. Erwin. Do you remember how
tiss used to 'eoHr the woods for 'var'e-
She spoke as If she were recalling some
, IN OF a long past youth. The young
pink OF Lois cheeks. and the kindlinE
light in her sad blue eyes. If she only
would let him help her.
I'm stop In once in a while to say,
How does your garden grown" he re-
parked. And remember. it's a pleasure
Tor me to answer questions about now
The little garden thrived remarkably
we'll that season. Lois in her sun hat was
to be ni seen working among her flowers evs
occasionally he did not lean upon the
fence. He opened the gate now. and sat
On the porch or In the small arbor be-
tween the lines of rose bushes. They
talked of growing plants. and discussed
toses and slugs impartially..
Then Lois was invited to the new green
'Ao "a INK OtIiG OIA u ShC OWii 1SIA
on the second invitation she went. The
eyes OF Waterbury saw her riding through
the streets in Erwin Hayes new runa-
bout. with Erwin beside her. Then they
knew what gardening was doing for Lois
Henry.
During the winter. however. there was
home was an overlooking greenery: but
she did not see young Hayes often now.
One day she sent for him to advise her
about some Japanese shrubs.
Give been thinking Ervin-yOu won't
mind a competitor. Win you? I'd IKE to
ave a little greenhouse Of my own"
Really. Lois? Do you want to go into
"In a small way She smiled shy!!y.
II won't cut prices and spoil your trade.
But ] think there's a place for me i'm this
decorate for social affairs already: and
some designs 1 sent out were much ad-
mired.'
Good for you!' cried Erwin heartily.
You'll beat me out yet"
Lois looked at him reproachfully. That
would he ungrateful: And ! 90 appreci-
He leane toward her with a glow deep
ening on his features and his brown eyes
yearning; and then he saw the girl recoil
slightly.
Have you any plans for your green
who'll do the work.. and do 1t good and
Waterbury folks were somewhat pug
zled when Lois Henry's new greenhouse
met their view. 1t seemed to predict a
have invested with sentiment. BY spring
Lois was fairly launched in her new pro-
~fession. Her deft fingers were wonder
fully clever when 1t came to making up
decorative effects.
There was a prize offered by the com
inittee Of the state fair that year for the
best floral design, and Lois decided to
compete. Her name was next to Erwin
on the list. and they tested on the matter
and made much mystery out of their in
dividual plans.
competitive design-what should 1t be?
Finally she decided to send a commence
'nent day emblem, a floral offering that
should be symbolic of the beginning of
the girl graduates new life.
standing with reluctant feet
Where the brook and river meet"
the day when the wonderful world beck
oned to her. and Frederick Dillon stood at
the gateway. with outstretched hand
nized love such as had glorifed the years
followed: but she could remember
even now the thrilling hopes and dreams
which blossomed into life at that time.
fabric of enchanting visions.
Lois saw her beautiful! fancies take shape
1t was exquisite: a fairy basket OF silvered
reeds, o%v:rhung with delicate vines: a
border OF lines of the valley: centered
w. edch oIIe d mArVeI OF pink per-
sraced by feathery sprays of
matdenhair fern: and over all winding |
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 blossoming |
lffe-before the blight came!
In the horticultural department the has
ket bearing the card of Lois Henry occu-
pied a conspicuous place. Erwin Hayes |
was the one who bore the news to her
npr 6aQ1pn had hann orpn-l- A.
prize!
And I got the second" he laughed.
Alone and pensive. Lois was standing
voice spoke her NAME snffiv aver has