Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-08-03
MISS 'LIZA'S LILIES
BY EVELYE LLOYD.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate,)

famiiiarly known through Fairview as
Miss Liza. white-haired and frail, was
displaying her spring beauties to her
niece, after six years separation. Miss
Liza was famous for her horticultural
achievements.
Sylvia's glances noted the presence,
one after another, of the blossoms
which she had rejolced in when, as a
growing girl, she had wandered
through her aunt's garden during her
holidays.
But, Aunt Liza - Sylvia's face
was rigid with amazement as she
looked at an empty brown bed in a
corner by the low white fence that sep-
arated the yard from Mrs. Patterson's,
next door. "Where are your beautiful
lilies Of the valleyW
over across replied her aunt abb
ruptly, and nodded to a bed of exqui-
site white blooms against a back
ground of fresh green stalks that filled
corner of Mrs. Pattersons yard.
There was a culver of the muscles
about her face which betokened the
approach of tears. She turned abrupt
ly and walked in the opposite direction
from the SNOWY flower beds.
Dear Aunt Liza" Sylvia begged as
she stepped swiftly to her aunt's side
and slipped her arm through hers, tell
me what the matter isl"
Miss Liza motioned her to keep ST.
lence till they turned the corner of the
garden path. when the little white
cottage next door was out of sight.
Then she stopped and dried her eyes
with Il corner of lnpr spotless white
apron, shifted a little to assure herself
that she was not crying, and replied:
you remember how angry Jennie
Patterson was because you wouldn't
marry her Dick?" Sylvia nodded in
| silent Renaissance and her eyes re-
mained fixed high on some unseen
point far beyond. "Wcu, it was the
next spring that some pest killed every
one of my beautiful lilies-my beauti-
ful posies," She interposed mournfully
rs If dreaming Of the beauty of a lost
| child.
Sylvia exclaimed Indignantly, 81 call
it pretty selfish and unfair of her not
to give some of them back after you
had been such good friends for a life
timew
All the Pattersons are proud, Syl-
via, and so are the Stuarts of course
Jennie couldn't offer them, and of
course [ couldn't accept them if she
did but it does seem hard she added
wistfully as they mounted the porch
steps.
The peaceful silence of the sweet
| spring night drew Sylvia out into the
garden again later. where she leaned
on the white fence, bordering the COM
| plicated problem. Years before a gate
had been cut to facilitate passage be-
tween the two yards-an opening used
| only by the two old friends and the
boy and girl lovers. Sylvia saw how
the grass had grown up close around
ii aud that the hinges were rusty
Plainly it had not been opened since
the memorable quarrel And there,
just ON The other side, cleaned the lily
bed, beautiful and ghostly like the
spirit of. the friendship that had van.
iShed.
Sylvia drew q sharp breath. Thoso
lilies didn't belong there. She turned
swiftly and ran to the garden tool
|. chest, whore she procured a trowcl.
The damp turf beneath the gate yield
ed ungraciously before her vigorous
push, and a harsh creak arose from
the unwilling hinges. She paused. bur
only the rustic % leafy branches
stirred the stiffness of The brooding
night. Silently She slipped over to the
lily bed, scooped up half q dozen
plants, and with few hasty pats Gov
cred up the holes left by the extracted
roots. She rose, triumphant from her
impuisive venture. and found herself
face to face with the tall figure Of
Dick Patterson.
"What-who-how She exclaimed
in utter confusion. then stopped.
''Tve come to claim my own" hn
replied steadily. "SyIvia'-his voice
was low and appealing-"I'm nam
noW-not the country boy you refused
and love You more than ever be-
fore. Is it too latef'
She shook her head and looked up
out Of misty eyes u love you" she
whispered, and stopped. for his arms
embraced her. "But your mother.
Dick" she exclaimed Il moment later
NV aunt "
Mother telegraphed YOU we're here,