The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-06-01
: A BlssfT or FLOWERS
! BY DOROTHY HLAcKMoRE.

On-n, see the DeautleS. crleu ilu
tie Hazel, scampering over to the bet
of gayly colored spring flowers she
had spied suddenly.
Some fiowersl"i breathed her little
brother, Ted, who was helping her tc
fill her basket with wild flowers thai
grew along the edge of the woods.
The children had wandered farther
than they had known, and the bed oi
lovely tulips that they were now de
moralizing was the only boundary
line at the rear of the home of MIR
and Mrs. Marden.
When the two trudged into school,
tardy and tired, but rosy and laugh
ing. Miss Mott gasped
I'VE brought you a May basket
teacher" the two said In unison
They had been rehearsing their speech
Hll the way from the Marden flower
beds.
"Oh, what a 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 fol-
her to have 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 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 mo
ment. Don't you think I ought to
go and explain? 1t seems wrong,
somehow"
ut wouldn't do any harm, dear;
and I'll go with you as soon as we
have our tea. Run upstairs and
freshen up while have tea served,
and then wen 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 a-.a
turned into the winding road that led
past the Marden home.
I'll stand behind while you ex
plain" said Florence laughingly, as
they shook the knocker on the great
white door.
To the surprise OF both women, d
tall young man in house jacket and
white flannel trousers opened the
door.
rs Mrs. Marden in?" asked Mrs.
James.
''No-I'm sorry. | am her brother,
left in charge for a whole week. My
name is Congdon, viii Congdon."
1--WE came on MISSIONS" went on
Mrs. James. First, l wanted to call
On your sister, Mrs Marden; and,
'econd--Miss Mott,' indicating Flor
ance, who had suddenly, she knew
not why, become confused, received
l May basket this morning, which we
hink was filled with your tulips"
Will eongdon laughed "They were
aiken to fill May basket, were they?
Pardon me, won't you both sit down
ew minutes. You've had quite a
walk, perhaps"
The three sat down. Il have felt
suilty all day over having the basket,
,ut two of my little kindergarteners
brought 1t to me with the information
hat they had picked the flowers all
or me-"
"And had seen some kiddies gath
ring your tulips early this morning
vhen / was in the bride path in the
1oods," added Mrs. James.
1T doesn't matter in the least--now |
hat know who did it, but my sister
as had a good deal Of trouble with
lants and flowers, and was about to
aise a row." explained the young
ian.
"Oh, I'm $3.50 sorry" repeated
florence.
Congdon raised protesting hand.
Don't be, please. I'm glad you were
le recipient of May basket I'm SO
Id that had forgotten that such
retty sentiment existed" he laughed.
Odd" repeated Mrs. James, scorn.
lily.
"Well, feel like a crusty old
achelor living out here in this tur-
e-dove community of young married
,lks."
Florence pouted prettily. "And
here do score in this gamer" she
sked.
Mrs. James was interested in the
tuation at once and beamed at this
pportunity for matchmaking. why,
10, obviously 1t is your duty to keep
II. Congdon from qualifying for the
4 0sf /