Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-27
DAILY NOVELETTE,
SHEET PEAS
BY Louise Hoffman

~ the last jar of pineapple when she
heard a timid ring at the front door
Through the glass panel she caught a
glimpse of n dainty little woman in a
cool white voilc gown. She opened
the door and found herself gazing into
pair of the softcst vclvcty brown
eyes she had ever seen.
The little woman, Miss Eunicc
Spraguc, was carrying an exquisite
bouquet of sweet peas, which she silent
ly placed in her hostcss's hands.
The little woman's velvet brown eyes
glistcncd. I'm sure you love them"
she murmured, sinking into a comfort
able winged chair which Gertrude drew
forward. ''Do you grow them?"
1--WE planted some. but unfortunately
they arc a little late"
Gertrude buried her flushed face in
| the delicate fragrance and drew great
drafts of inspiration from their depths.
She was so tired. Houscwork discour-
aged and frcttcd her so. There was
such an infinite amount of detail. One
was never done. She could direct a staff
of servants in hotel management with
comparative ease. But she found it
quite another matter when her two
hands must do the work of cook, wait :
I ross. Chambcrmaid apd scamstrcss, even
if the establishment was small. Her
idea Of rest and relaxation in n small
house. to which she had fed in this
quiet little hamlet, had proved dclu-
sion. Vet here was this little woman
, from the narrow confines of farm life,
who had probably been accustomed to
this drudgcry all her life, fairly radat-
ing peace aud quiet.
They chattcd away like old friends
on various subjects for few minutes,
but Gertrude went back to the flowers
She drew rich glossy deep maroon
blossom from the bunch which she still
held in her hand king Marvel" she
said. with n catch in her voice. always
reminds me of my mother. 1t was hel
favoritc. Shc used to grow them to per
fcction."
"Comc apd see my sweet pea trellis, >,
invited Gertrude
'Why,' exclaimed Gertrude in rap
lures, as they entered the garden
"llere is King Of the Whites in bios,
som. They were my bridal flowers, you
know she explained. happily rcminis-
cent as she picked the gIistcning i'm
maculatc white blossoms.
The little woman's velvet brown eyes
glowcd with a strange sympathy. "How
strange, she murmured; then in n
scarcely audible tone she confidcd
'ThCy were to have bccu mine, too
I;ut your love story ended happily"
with a ycarning usefulness.
Gertrude Fraser glanced up quickly
| In n flash she saw the little woman
was ycarning for the prize every woman
longs for. And here she was making
herself miserable because she couldn t
attain an impossible ideal in house
keeping. Suddenly, she came to a real
| ization of her priceless blessing
'No, no, don't say it's ended happily
yet" she begged. leading the way to n
secluded garden scat.
The little woman looked troubled and
the sadness in her eyes decpcned 1t
was such n shock to have this new
found friend ruthleSsly dash her cher
iShod dream on the rocks.
Il meant" continued Gertrude softly
radiant as she caught the ficcting cx-
preston, my love story is going on
happily. I'm happier now than l was
on my wedding day"
The little woman leaned forward
eagerly. I'm so happy to hear you
say that" she breathcd. 81 knew you
must be happy. How could you be
otherwise in dear little home like this?
You know" she explained, "this was
my old home. and I've always loved it.
| was born here.
Robert and ! were to have been
married the year before we moved. We
had planned to have oceans of sweet
peas for our wedding, and Robert had
helped me plant them. 4 month before
our wedding Robert was obliged to
make a trip to Paris, and while there
war was declared" She paused n
moment. 1T is five years this summer
since | saw him last gayly waving his
cap as the steamer disappeared from
view Then one awful day early in the
war | received official notice that he
was lost in action"
A motor whirled into the driveway.
A young man. with the assured air of
welcome visitor, painfully alighted
and walked over to the sweet pea
trcllis. AS he turned to go to the door,
the little woman caught a glimpse of
his SCARED features. She started for
ward
Bob, she gasped. x 'Is-it-
really-you?'
Mrs. Fraser and Bob sprang for
ward to catch the little woman.
After n few moments; Mrs. Fraser
discreetly slipped away, leaving the
lovers in their first rapturous moments
of reunion.
\ great wave of happiness enguIfed
her. The little woman's yearning look
had magically disappeared. She would
have her hearts desire-husband and
home.
A few weeks later. Gertrude signif
cantly whispered into the brides ear,
over a huge shower of King of the
Whites. May your love story continue
happily
The next complete noyelette-IIow
Dreams Come True.