Williams news., 1918-03-28

Barclay had unearthed, cherished at first, then slowed away neglected and forgotten-now it had been brought to light, a remindful memento of the past, a lucky stone, in fact a double lucky stone.
 One day back in that past, now so dreamy and far, the two barefooted, sun-browned chums had dickered over a trade. Hull had a broken-bladed knife; Revere had found the double lucky" At distance was Ardath, the ten-year-old sister of Revere. For her company Hull had always manifested strong longing. She was picking some wild flowers and her back was to the chafferirs.
 ''Say, you trade the knife even,' said Revere, land I'll let you kiss my sis ter''
 "It's a go,'' cried Hull instantly. "Here, give me the lucky. There's the knife," and sped forth with in the di- rection of Ardath. He came up behind her stealthily, threw his arms around, implanted an echoing kiss on her lips and
 With a shriek Ardath tore loose from his embrace. Her eyes flashed fire. Ablaze with indignation, she swept one hand towards the grinning, chuckling Hull.
 Smack! his cheek tingled and he fairly staggered at the force of the blow. The actual pain drove all the mischief and exultation from his face.
 'sNext time you ask me first" she spoke with dignity. "Tm getting to be young lady, remember
 'FYou're a cross, mean little chit of girl'' cried out Hull, smarting with pain and humiliation. "There won't be any next time.' I can kiss prettier girls than you, all day long, scratchy cat" and Hull's folks moved away from the town before the quarrel was made up.
 "I wonder how the dear. simple old fellow is getting along?" unused Percy, land that spiteful sister of his. Well, the lucky stone has done it's work. I'm going to hunt out Revere, just for di- | version.'
 It was no easy task tracing down Winston Revere. The family had mov- ed, some of it's members had died, and at length Percy learned that it's only survivors to be located were Winston l and his sister. A mutual friend who had kept track of them told Percy: You'll find them living in a little suburban town just out of Columbus. | Winston has become a sort of scien- | tific farmer and Ardath is living with | him, keeping house for him. Three days later Percy Hull paused
 in front of little house in the center | of a fve-acre patch, looking towards
 a girlish form moving in and out \ among the most bewildering and beau l tiful of rose garden mazes. He had To- 1 cated the retreat of his old chum. The ] figure he viewed was that of Ardath I Revere, but how stately and fair of I face she had grown!
 Percy advanced, drawing what he 1 supposed to be one of his own cards
 from his pocket, wondering if Ardath,
 grown to Miss Revere, would at all re
 member him.
 "I called to see MT. Revere" he I spoke, as he came up near to her. My brother is absent from home for
 a week." replied the possessor of pair 1 of blue, clear eyes that somehow
 stirred and thrilled him with their
 magnetic glance.
 | Percy was about to offer the card, l WAch He CIduCCu GO uOllCS US DTlnl6u l face. Accidentally mixed in with his
 own cards, it was the one of the for
 ist which he had sought to give to Bar
 clay when he ordered the flowers for
 his business successor. A flashing,
 whimsical suggestion came into his
 mind. He allowed the card to pass in- | to her hand.
 ."Mr. verschogle,'" she bowed en- | gagingly. My brother always vel l comes those in the florist line. It is
 only recently that have succeeded in | interesting him in commercialiZing his | great knowledge of flowers. He is
 away, but if you would like to look
 over what we have I shall be glad to | be of service"
 l So, as MT. Verschogle, the city flor | ist, Percy, looking for supplies for the
 coming season for the city shop,'' ac-
 companied Ardath about the place 'I have gone into rose culture under his direction,'' said Miss Revere, "and
 within month we will be able to ship | regularly. We will value your patron | age, MT. Versehogle.
 | MT. Verschogle called the next day, | and the next. He began to take a deep interest in the business plans of the charming girl, bent upon placing lov- ed brother upon basis, of security and competence. He fingered in town | until two days before the return of Winston He felt embarrassed as he | realized that the role he had assumed had placed him in an awkward posi- tion. He resolved to forestaH the in- evitable disclosure his recognition by Winston would be sure to bring about. So, one afternoon as he sat in the garden with his hostess he confessed