The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-07-16
MISS H0LLYHocKs
IF
BY CAROL Balm.


rosy vista of hollyhocks. The cottage
beyond the hollyhocks was quite hid
den from view by the dropping
branches of chinaberry tree. In
the path between the rows OF holly
hooks stood girl in pink dimity
frock. The skirt was frilled to the
waist with tiny pink ruf1les. 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 a 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-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
terfiy iuttered 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 of the coveted prize.
But why won't ycu sell the pic
ture?" insisted Henderson. lighting
another cigarette.
Wade Newton glanced across his
studio where Miss Hollyhocks" was
placed on an easel.
1T isn't 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 go.
ing to marry her some day"
idiot" gibed Henderson drawing
on his gloves. But suppose you can
go down and find her in the old gar.
den any time you please"
Il wish / could" returned the other
with sigh.
What do you mean"
You know ! was called abroad as
soon as / finished that picture. When
returned ! went Immediately to
Sleepy Valley where / had chanced
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 went"
Smith! like Miss Hollyhocks
better!" said Henderson. "Of course /
she might have been homely as sin,
but, believe me, Wade, only a girl
with peachy complexion win guard
1t with sunbonnet."
Newton laughed induigently. ~ be-
lieye the pink sunbonnet has set you
to dreaming. too" he said.
well. by-by; I'm of" said Hender.
son. Wire me when you find Miss
Hollyhocks."
i wili," 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 1t. Wade was not sure of
1t himself, for his girl of the holly
hooks intruded her mysterious per
sonality every time confession hov.
cred on the tip OF Wade's tongue.
Dorothy is in the library, Mr..
said Mrs. Coleman as she
greeted the painter She wanted me
70 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
yzed.
Over in the embrasure of the bow
window there stood noble palm. In
he shadow Of II was a girl in a pink
'unbonnet and pink frilled gown.
She might have stepped out of his
)icturel
Who Is it?" he asked quickly.
She stood motioniess, one slender
white hand extended toward the palm
caves.
In three strides Newton had crossed
he room and stood beside her. He
,ent his head and peered around un-
Ter the pink sunbonnet. A charming
link and white face, a pair of blue
yes and enticing lips Newton kissed
Ter then and there.
"Oh!" she cried. and stepped back.
Dorothy, darling. never dreamed
Il never guessed-that you were my
Iollyhock GIRL" he breathed rapidly,
lis eyes afire. What were you do
ng there in Happy Valley, and why
idn't you tell me that you were stop
ing tseref Who are the Smiths, any
rayf"
But Dorothy only shook her head
nd find fror,, fir, oavinc 49, -