The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-04-05

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Barclay had unearthed, cherished at
first, then slowed away neglected and
forgotten-now 1t had been brought to
light, 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 broken-bladed
knife; Revere had found the double
lucky" At a distance was Ardath, the
ten-year-old sister of Revere. For her
company Hull had always manifested
a strong longing. She was picking
some wild flowers and her back was to
the chafferirs.
"Say, you trade the knife even," said
Revere, "and I'll let you kiss my sis
ter"
"It's CO." cried Hull instantly.
Here, give me the lucky. There's the
knife" and sped forth with In the d.
rection Of Ardath. He came up behind
her stealthily, threw his arms around,
implanted an echoing kiss on her lips
and
With shrek Ardath tore loose from
his embrace. Her eyes flashed fire.
Ablaze with indignation, she swept one
hand towards the grinnlng, 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.
'Next time you ask me first" she
spoke with dignity. "Pm getting to be
young lady, remember"
you're cross, mean little chit of
girl" cried out Hull, smartlng 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.
81 wonder how the DEAR simple old
fellow Is getting along?" unused Percy,
land that spiteful sister of his. Well.
the lucky stone has done its work. I'm
going to hunt out Revere, just for d.
version"
1t was no easy task tracing down
| Winston Revere. The family had NOV
ed, some of its members had died, and
at length Percy learned that it's only
survivors to be located were Winston
| and his sister. A mutual friend who
had kept track of them told Percy:
you'll find them living In a little
| N t1c nrIf IF ,1,sc
Winston has become 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 flve-acre patch, looking towards
girlish form moving in and out
among the most bewildering and beau
tiful of rose garden mazes. He had To-
Gated the retreat of his old chum. The
figure he viewed was that of Ardath
Revere, but how stately and fair Of
face she had growni
Percy advanced, drawing what he
supposed to be one of his own cards
from his pocket, wondering If Ardath,
grown to Miss Revere, would at all re-
member him.
II called to see Mr.. Revere" he
spoke, as he came up near to her.
my brother Is absent from home for
a week." replied the possessor of pair
of blue, clear eyes that somehow
stirred and thrilled him with their
magnetic glance.
Percy was about to offer the card,
when he CHANGED to notice its printed
face. Accidentally mixed in with his
own cards, 1t was the one Of the for
LIST 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 well
comes those In the florist line. 1t Is
only recently that I have succeeded In
interesting him In commercializing his
great knowledge Of flowers. He is
away. but II you would like to look
over what we have I shall be glad to
be Of service"
So. as Mr.. verschogle. the city for
list, Percy, looking for supplies for the
coming season for the city shop" &C.
companied Ardath about the place
II have gone into rose culture under
his direction" said Miss Revere, land
within month we will be able to ship
regularly. We will value your patron
age, Mr.. verschogle.
Mr.. Verschogle called the next day,
and the next. He began to take deep
interest In the business plans Of the
charming girl, bent upon placing low
ed brother upon a 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-
ton. He resolved to forestall the in.
evitable disclosure his recognition by
Winston would be sure to bring about.
SO. one afternoon as he sat In the