The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1915-09-09
MISS HollyuoCks
BY CAROL Balm.

The man with the easel placed it
close to the fence so that he could
look over the palings and down that
rosy vista Of -hollyhocks. The cottage
beyond the hollyhocks was quite hid
den from view by the dropping
branches of a chinaberry tree. In
the path between the rows of holly
hooks stood a girl in a pink dimity
frock. The skirt was frilled to the
waist with tiny pink rufhes. A pink
sunbonnet HID her face.
my medal pictured" exclaimed the
artist, opening his paint box. II don't
know what she's looking at. but If
she'll only hold that pose for a few
minutes longer"
With swift, sui strokes he outlined.
the girls plant form in its quaint!
gown of the newest fashion-a mod,
ern adaptation of an old style. She
was facing the hollyhocks and look
Ing intently at something On a round,
green hollyhock leaf. One slender
white hand. and rounded wrist were
stretched cautiously out, and one lit,
tie foot In It's high-heeled slipper ap.
peared beneath the short skirt. =,
She scarcely seemed to breathe, and
i've minutes passed before he drew
back quickly while a great golden but
terfy f1uttered up and out of sight
among the trees.
Even then she did not face him, but
turned toward the cottage and van.
ished in a bend of the path.
! The following winter Wade New.
toms picture. Miss Hollyhocks." car.
ried off the coveted prize.
=
"But why won't you sell the pic.
ture?" insisted Henderson. lighting
another cigarette.
Wade Newton glanced cross his
studio where miss Hollyhocks" was
placed on an easel.
"It isn't a girl you know, is it,"
went on Henderson, stroking his tiny
mustache.
Never saw her face" said Newton.
"Then. why"
bCCouSc l nave q CullOSlIy u ul6.
cover her for myself. Confidentially,
Ned, Miss Hollyhocks brought me
fame and a number of orders. I'm go.
ing to marry her some day"
"Idiot!" gtbed Henderson drawing
on his gloves. But I suppose you can
go down and find her in the old gar
den any time you please"
II wish | could" returned the other
with a sigh.
what do you mean?"
"You know ! was called abroad "a
soon as ! finished that picture. When
returned l went Immediately to
Sleepy Valley where l had CHANGED
upon the garden, but the girl and her
people had vanished as the rose Of
yesterday. 1t seems they had only
hired the place for three months and
beyond learning that the name was
Smith I { came back as wise as l went"
Smith! like Miss Hollyhocks
better!!" said Henderson. "Of course
she might have been homely as sin.
but. believe me, Wade. only a girl
with a peachy complexion will guard
1t with a ~sunbonnet."
Newton laughed indulgently. II be,
lieve the pink s%unbonnet has set you
to dreaming, too," he said.
well, by-by; I'm off," said Hender.
son. wire me when you find Miss
H%ollyhocks."
II WILL" agreed Newton.
He dismissed the picture and the
unknown girl from his thoughts and
dressed for dinner. He had promised
to dine with the Colemans, who had
lust returned from a years travel
abroad. Their daughter, Dorothy, had
held Wade's heart in the hollow of her
hand for many months. only she did
not know 1t. Wade was not sure OF
It himself, for his girl Of the holly.
hooks intruded her mysterious per-
sonality every time confession hov<
ared on the tip Of Wade's tongue.
Dorothy is in the library. Mr..
Newton" said Mrs. Coleman as she
greeted the painter. She wanted me
to send you to her as soon as you ar
rived"
With a light step Wade entered the
library and closed the door behind
him. Then he stood as though para
lyzed.
Oyer in the embrasure of the bow.