Gilpin observer., 1915-06-10
PRIMROSE and PURPLE
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

vi .
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Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
II have an idea for making a little
money. mother" said Polly Dayton,
drawing her chair close to her moth
er's in the bright living room.
And remain at home, dear?"
queried Mrs. Dayton, anxiously. She
had not yet adjusted herself to the
modern scheme of society which per
mits its daughters and wives to go
forth from home in order to be eco
nomically independent.
Polly nodded definitely. very much
at home, mother mine. Let me
tell you about it: First, you know
there is large and fiourishing or
ganization in the city which has for
its colors primrose and purple; there
is another equally flourishing organ
ization of women which has for it's
color, yellow. Now, these clubs will,
this year, have many and varied So
cial and public functions, at all of
which they will use their club colors
in flowers, if possible. l know WON.
en- in both sets through whom. I am
confident, l can get contracts to sup
ply all the purple and primrose and
yellow flowers that are to be used.
l think we can market all we can
raise Of the flowers that exactly carry
out the color scheme of the clubs.
Don't you see it, mother?"
"Oh, l do do see it, dear daugh-
ter. 1t is wonderful conception, and
believe you and l together, with the
help of good old Joe Fisher. whose
very hands seem to caress the flowers
he plants, can make it success"
Polly made practical and definite
plans for her business venture, and
as spring approached she and her
mother and the old day gardener who
had worked with them for years, cul.
tivated every available spot in the
grounds. They made room among
the rocks for rich earth and took out
stones here and there along the top
to permit of growing the flowers. Thus
it was not long before flowers were
coming up everywhere, and every
bloom was to be primrose, purple OF
yellow.
The organizations which Polly apl
preached with her plans we're moro
than glad to know of a place where
they could obtain their own sorts OF
flowers and have them shipped in
good shape.
By summer the wall of primroses
about the Dayton home was exquisite
to behold, and Polly and her mother
rejoiced in the fact that neighbors
brought their friends to see it. They
watched aut; mobilists stop to admire
it, and felt proud of their work.
One day when Polly, in her great
rose-covered hat and simple summer
frock, was standing outside of the
wall cutting blooms, an automobile
stopped before the wall.
Polly did not look up, but she could
hear that there was conversation be
tween a man and woman about the
flowers.
Finally a young man approached
her. Il beg your pardon" he said
his motor cap in his hand. Mother
cannot longer resist the temptation
to ask you If you will let her have
few of your beautiful primroses."
"Why-of course" Polly said,
quickly. She looked out toward the
auto and smiled at the woman who
sat therein.
Mother was prevented this year
from going to her home in the South
Of England on account Of the war
Always homesick for her own land
the very country, by the way, where
The Rosary was written-the con
slant sight of your primrose wall as
We pass each day has made her more
SO. She thinks If she might have e
few of the flowers it would-well, II
would help some," laughed the yount
man, somewhat embarrassed by the
fact that he was asking favor from
a strange-and very lovely-young
woman
DO let me speak to your mother,
said Polly, quickly, running over to
the car. scissors in hand.
She stood for a long time talking
to Mrs. Noble and her son George
And when the elderly woman left
her hands were FULL Of Polly's prim
roses and she had promised to re
turn whenever her bowl at home was
empty.
Twice q week Mrs. Noble came tc
Polly Dayton's garden for primroses
Polly would not take money, for she
deemed 1t . pleasure to give them tc
anyone who loved the flowers SC
dearly. And 1t was from your OWL
Devonshire country that ! got my in
spiration to begin this venture Polly
told her one day when the four
Mrs. Noble, her son. Polly and hel
mother-sat at q rustic table under
wisteria arbor in the Dayton gar
den slipping cool glasses of tea
what a success 1t is! can hardly
believe II and-to add to that" Polly
looked affectionately at her mother