The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-19
MISS HollyHocks
BY CAROL Balm.

The man with the easel placed 1t
, 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 rufiles. A pink
sunbonnet hid her face.
my medal pictured" exclaimed the
artist. opening his paint box. Il 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 round.
green hollyhock leaf. One slender
white hand and rounded wrist were
stretched cautiously out, and one lit
tie foot in its high-heeled slipper ap-
peared beneath the short skirt.
She scarcely seemed to breathe, and
five minutes passed before he drew
back quickly while great golden but
terhy 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
at isn't a girl you know. is it,"
went on Henderson, stroking his tiny
mustache.
Never saw her face" said Newton.
Then, why"
Because | have curiosity to dis
| SoNSl HVi ipI
Ned, Miss Hollyhocks brought me
fame and a number of orders. I'm 60
ing to marry her some day"
idiot" gibed Henderson drawing
on his gloves. "But I suppose you can
go down and find her in the old gar
den any time you please"
81 wish could" returned the other
with sigh.
What do you mean?"
You know was called abroad as
soon as finished that picture. When
I returned l went Immediately to
Sleepy Valley where I had CHANGED
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 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 girl
with peachy complexion will guard
it with sunbonnet."
Newton laughed indulgently. 81 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 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 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 a 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 a 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 ard 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, | never dreamed
Il never guessed-that you were my
hollyhock GIRL" he breathed rapidly
ing there in Happy Valley, and why
didn't you tell me that you were stop
ping there? Who are the Smiths, any
way?'
But Dorothy only shook her head
and fed from him, saying that she
must change her dress. He caught
her hand at the door.
you love me-you will be my wife
darling?" he asked. You know how