Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1915-09-01
MISS HOLLYHOGKs
BY CAROL Balm.

rosy vista of hollyhocks. The cottage
beyonu 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 pink dimity
frock. The skfs MAS frilled to the
waist with tiny pins ruAes. A pink
,sunbonnet hid her face.
my medal pietursl' 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 few
minutes longer"
With swift, sure 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 its high-hee!ed slipper ap-
peared beneath the short skirt
She scarcely seemed to breathe, and
five minutes passed before he drew
back quickly while a great golden but
terfy fluttered 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 across his
studio where miss Hollyhocks" was
placed on an easel.
TT isn't a girl you know, is it?'
went on Henderson, stroking his tiny
mustache.
Never saw her face" said Newton.
"Then, why"
I. Because I have a curiosity to dis
cover her for myself. Confdentially,
Ned, Miss Hollyhocks brought me
fame and number of orders. I'm go.
ing to marry her some day"
"Idiot!" gibed Henderson drawing
on his gloves. "But suppose you can
60 down and find her in the old gar
den any time you please"
"I wish I could" returned the other
with a sigh.
"What do you mean?"
"You know l was called abroad as
soon as 1 finished that picture. When
returned I went Immediately to
Sleepy Valley where I had chanced
upon the garden, but the girl and her
people had vanished as the rose Of
yesterday. It seems they had only
hired the place for three months and
beyond learning that the name was
Smith I came back as wise as went .
Smith! I 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 guarl
it with sunbonnet."
Newton laughed indulgently. IT be-
lieve the pink sunbonnet has set You
to dreaming, too," he said.
"Well, by-by; I'm off," said Hender-
son. wire me when you find Miss
Hollyhocks."
81 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
just returned from a years travel
abroad. Their daughter, Dorothy, had
held Wades heart in the hollow of her
hand for many months, only she did
not know it. Wade was not sure of
it himself, for his girl Of the holly
hooks intruded her mysterious per-
sonality every time confession how
cred 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 light step Wade entered the
library and closed the door behind
him. Then he stood as though para
lyzed.
Over in the embrasure of the bow
window there stood noble palm. In
the shadow of it was girl in pink
sunbonnet and a pink frilled gown.
She might have stepped out Of his
picture!
"Who is it?" he asked quickly.
She stood motionless, one slender
white hand extended toward the palm
leaves.
In three strides Newton had crossed
the room and stood beside her. He
bent his head and peered around un-
der the pink sunbonnet. A charming
pink and white face, a pair of blue
eyes and enticing lips. Newton kissed
her then and there.
"Oh!" she cried, and stepped back.
Dorothy, darling, l never dreamed
Il never guessed-that you were my