Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-11-14

furnished them with unfailing matter
for chat and banter when other CONVEX
satioD had failed, and in a subtle way
all their thoughts of one another We're
intertwined with it.
When Jack went away on the annual
yachting cruise of the club Betty found
peculiar pleasure in tending to the
ly familiar. although she could not re-
member ever having seen one In gar
len. While watering it and removing
every weed that dared to appear it
brought back to her many pleasant
memories, and she had a sense of cCm-
panionship while watching it. And
when 1t finally put forth the blossom
that betrayed it's identity she blnshed
and laughed and blushed again when
she wondered what Jack would say
when he saw it.
Yachting IS a most leisurely pastime
and gives one ample opportunities for
thought. Before the cruise was over
Jack had made for himself an unac-
countable reputation for silence aud
unsociability. Those who observed him
noted that lie frequently smiled to him
self and shook their heads ominously
Toward the end of the cruise it was
seen that his face had taken on the So.
,ioGsit, : "a II :.icdt resolution, AMI il
WIS cy Gent that his mind had lrccr
mail' H., tinasl,fsuh Seine Iarttcrof the
gravest Importance.
When Betty saw him coming UP the
garden path after his return she was
smitten with sudden confusion, but she
managed to greet him with proper di--
nifty. After the usual exchange of com
pliments and few inquiries ON her
part regarding the cruise the converse
ton became monosyllabic. AS usual on
such occasions she reverted to the bulb
to start 1t again.
II have taken good care of our bulb
since you left. 1t has blossomed at
last
Il have also watched the growth OF
something you planted. and it has also
blossomed.' he said like one who had
carefully rehearsed part.
That l planted? l don't under
stand. And she looked at him with
wide eyed wonder. She observed, how.
ever, that he looked very athletic and
that tanned complexion became him
Yves. l have watched what you
planted, and it has blossomed into love
l have come to ask if you will care for
that flower in my heart forever"
Being OF poetic temperament, how
could she refuse a proposal so poetic !
When the matter was settled, with
pretty formalities too sacred for the
eyes of outsiders, she looked up at him
and exclaimed:
Wouldn't you like to see the other
plant? 1t turns out to have been very
significant"
1T doesn't bear orange blossoms,
does it?"
Not exactly, but it bears something
almost as appropriate"
well. it will he the favorite plant in
our garden some day In fact, think
I'll have whole garden full of it
Il have found how it got here" she
explained as they passed through the
garden. Zone Of Donald's children
brought it home from the woods and
put it among the bulbs. He recognized
it and threw it away"
When Jack saw the plant he laughed
loudly, and their laughter mingled into
music. On the little mound where Bet
ty had planted the bulb there bloomed
as fine jack-in-the-pulpit as any one
would wish to see.
1T looks just as If 1t were~ready to
perform the marriage service and give
US its blessing" said Jack as he kncel-
ed to remove little weed that showed
its head near by.
Betty very appropriately kreeled be
side him.