The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-11
The Euening Story
Miss HOIIYhOckS.
(By Carol Bain.)

| rosy vista of hollyhockS. The cot
tage beyond the hollyhocks was
quite hidden from view by the droop-
ing branches of chinaberry tree.
In the path between the rows of hol-
lyhocks stood girl in pink dimity
frock. The skirt was frilled to the
waist with tiny pink ruffles. A pink
sunbonnet hid her face.
My medal picture!'' exclaimed the
artist apnt n open,ng his ssI paint box I
| if she'll only hold that pose for a
few minutes longer
With swift. sure strokes he out
quaint gown of the newest fashion,
modern adaptation of an old style.
She was facing the hollyhocks and
looking 1ntently at something on a
slender white hand and rounded
wrist were stretched cautiously out,
and one little foot in it's high heeIed
slipper appeared beneath the short
skirt.
She scarcely seemed to breathe,
and five minutes passed before he
drew back quickly while great gold
en- butterfly fluttered up and out of
sight among the trees.
Even then she did not face him.
but turned toward the cottage and
vanished in a bend of the path.
Wade Newton breathed a sigh of
he chuckled. Now for the holly
hooks with the sunshine on them:
her frock 1 can work in afterward.''
The afternoon passed and he saw
no more Of the girl in the pink gown.
The next morning he packed his be-
longing and went back to his studio
in the city.
The following winter Wade New
tol's 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 Ho1lyhocks" was
placed on an easel.
1T isn't a girl you know, is it?"
went on Henderson, stroking his tiny
mustache.
Never saw her face said Newton.
"Then why
Because I have a curiosity to dis
cover her for myself. Confidentially,
Ned, Miss Hollyhocks brought me
fame and number of orders. I'm
going to marry her some day."
Idiot" gibed Henderson drawing
on his gloves. But 1 suppose you
can go down and find her in the old
garden any time you please
81 wish 1 could" returned the other
with q sigh.
What do you mean?"
tYou know I was called abroad as
soon as finished that picture. When
Sleepy Valley where I 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 came back as wise as I 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 guard
it with a sunbonnet, the others don't
care"
ct
believe the pink sunbonnet has set you
to dreaming. too he said.
well, by-by; I'm Off" said Hen
derson. Wire me when you find
Miss Hollyhoeks.''
Il will,' agreed Newton.
How in thunder am I going to
find herr" he asked himself. " might
put an advertisement in the paper:
Sleepy Valley, who wore a pink sun
bonnet and frilly pink gown among
the hollyhocks, please communicate
with w. NJ Lord! What an idiot I
am after alli'
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 years travel
had held Wade's 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
hollyhocks intruded her mysterious
personality every time confession how
cred on the tip of Wade's tongue.
OF course this uncertainty of mind
made him quite wretched: There
were times when he vowed he would
marry the girl of the hollyhocks and
no other But when Dorothy was
near he thought of no one save her.
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. You must haste, for it is al
most dinner time
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 a noble palm. In |
the shadow of it was a girl in a pink |
sunbonnet and a pink frilled gown |
She might have stepped out of his |
picture!
who is it?" he asked quickly
She stood motion1ess, one slender !
white hand extended toward the palm
leaves.
In three strides Newton had crossed |
the room and stood beside her. He |
der the pink sunbonnet. A charm
ing pink and white face. pair of blue
eyes and enticing lips. Newton
kissed her then and there
"Ohi'' she cried, and stepped back. |
Dorothy, darling, I never dreamed |
i never guessed-that you were my
hoIlyhock GIRL he breathed rapidly. |
his ewes afire What were you doing /
there in Happy valley, and why didn't
you tell me that you were stopping
there? Who are the Smiths. any
way?"
But Dorothy only shook her head |
and fled from him, saying that she |
must change her dress He caught |
her hand at the door.
You love me-you will be my wife,