The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-03-30


furnished them with unfailing matter
for chat and banter when other CONVEX
sation had failed, and in a subtle way
all their thoughts of one another were
intertwined with it.
When Jack went away on the annual
yachting cruise Of the club Betty found
q peculiar pleasure in tending to the
mysterious little plant that was strange
ly familiar, although she could not re-
member ever having seen one in a gar
den. While watering it and removing
every weed that dared to appear 1t
brought back to her many pleasant
memories, and she had sense of CON-
partnership while watching it. And
when it finally put forth the blossom
that betrayed its identity she blushed
and laughed and blushed again when
she wondered what Jack would say
when he saw It.
Yachting Is 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 and
unsociability. Those who observed him
noted that he 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 Sc
robustness Of great resolution, and it
was evident that his mind had been
made up finally on some matter of 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 dig
nifty. After the usual exchange of CON-
pliments and few inquiries on her
part regarding the cruise the conversa-
ton became monosyllabic AS usual on
such occasions she reverted to the bulb
to start it again.
IL have taken good care of our bulb
since you left 1t has blossomed at
last"
81 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? | 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.
"Y-yes. have watched what you
planted, and it has blossomed into love.
1 have come to ask If you wilreare for
that flower in my heart forever"
Being Of poetic temperament, how
could she refuse 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?"
mot exactly, but it bears something
almost as appropriate"
"Well, 1t will be the favorite plant In
our garden some day. In fact, think
III have whole garden full of it."
II have found how it got here" she
explained as they passed through the
garden. "One of Donald's children
brought 1t home from the woods and
put 1t 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 a jack-in-the-pupit as any one
would wish to see.
1T looks just as IL it were ready to
perform the marriage service and give
us its blessing" said Jack as he kneel-
ed to remove little weed that showed
Its head near by.
Betty very appropriately kneeled be-
side him.