The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-09
4 BASKET or FLOWERS :
BY DOROTHY sLAcKMoRE. !!

ndo spleu suddenly.
Some flowers!" breathed her little
brother. Ted, who was helping her to
I'LL her basket with wild flowers that
grew along the edge of the woods.
: The children had wandered farther
than they had known. and the bed of
lovely tulips that they were now de-
moralizing was the only boundary
line at the rear OF the home of Mr..
and Mrs. Marden.
When the two trudged into school,
tardy and tired, but rosy and laugh.
ing. Miss Mott gasped.
I'VE brought you May basket,
teacher" the two said in unison.
They had been rehearsing their speech
all the way from the Marden flower
beds.
"Oh. what beauty! Thank you,
children. Now take your seats. You
are tardy and we must make up for
lost time" She hadn't the heart to
dampen their Joy by asking where
they had picked the lovely flowers.
She intuitively felt that the little ones
had secured them innocently, but
none the less destructively and dis.
honestly. from some of the gardens
bordering the woods on the south side.
When she reached home her friend
was sitting on the porch waiting for
her to have a cup of tea "And who
gave you the flowers, Flo?" she asked.
Its May day; bless your heart!
And two Of the children brought me
the basket. 1t was lovely in the early
morning, but"
Mrs. James laughed. You will be
surprised to know that l saw the
children picking the flowers very
early this morning from Mrs. Mar.
den's border gardens down by the
woods, but ], like you, hated to spoil
the children's joy."
Miss Mott looked serious for a mo.
ment. Don't you think l ought to
go and explain? 1t seems wrong,
somehow"
1T wouldn't do any harm, dear;
ana I'll go with you as soon as we
have our tea. Run upstairs and
freshen up while have tea served,
and then we'll go and call on Mrs.
Marden and explain. l owe her a
call, anyway"
When Florence Mott reappeared she
was as pretty and fresh as had been
her gift Of tulips in the early morn.
ing.
They walked down the path and
turned into the winding road that led
past the Marden home.
III stand behind while you ex-
plain" said Florence laughingly, an
they shook the knocker on the great
white door.
To the surprise of both women, a
tall young man in house Jacket anC
white flannel trousers opened the
door.
rs Mrs. Marden in?" asked Mrs.
James.
"No-I'm sorry. am her brother,
left in charge for whole week. My
name Is Congdon, viii Congdon."
I'VE came on missions" went on
Mrs. James. First, wanted to call
on your sister. Mrs. Marden; and.
second-Miss Mott" indicating Flor.
ence. who had suddenly, she knew
not why, become confused, received
May basket this morning, which we
think was filled with your tulips"
Will Congdon laughed. "They were
taken to fill May basket, were they?
Pardon me, won't you both sit down q
few minutes. You've had quite q
walk, perhaps"
The three sat down. II have felt
guilty all day over having the basket.
but two of my little Undergraduates
brought 1t to me with the information
that they had picked the flowers all
for me-"
And had seen some kiddies gath.
ering your tulips early this morning
when l was in the bride path In the
woods" added Mrs. James.
1T doesn't matter in the least-now
that l know who did it, but my sister
has had good deal Of trouble with
plants and flowers, and l was about to
raise a row." explained the young
man.
"Oh, I'm $3.50 sorry" repeated
Florence.
Congdon raised a protesting hand.
Don't be, please. I'm glad you were
the recipient Of May basket I'm SO
old that l had forgotten that such
pretty sentiment existed" he laughed.
odd" repeated Mrs. James, scorn.
fully.
well, I feel like a crusty old
bachelor living out here in this tur-
tle-dove community of young married
folks"
Florence pouted prettily. And
where do l score in this gamer" she
asked.
Mys. James was interested in the
situation at once and beamed at this
opportunity for matchmaking. why,
Flo. obviously it is your duty to keep
Mr.. Congdon from qualifying for the
old mans home, isn't it,"
"Yes-isnt it?" the man repeated. |
looking straight at Florence.
1T looks like it," she said.
And she began by letting him take |
her out in the runabout that night in
order that he might find out the exact |
of the schoolhouse where she |
taught For I shall often get home
on an early train-now-and call for