The Lamar register., 1919-04-02
SUNBONNET SUE
BY ANsrIs M. ReNEAR.


surbonnet had been her mothers and
had always. during the thirty-odd
years of Susan's life. hung on the third
hook. Although she had been alone
In the homestead for over II year. II
would have been sacrilege to hang the
bonnet on a l. wer hook ! As she bent
over to picl: up her garden basket and
shears. her long brown braid escaped
its pins and swung over her shoulder.
"Botherw said Miss Susan; she
paused irresolutely a moment. then
pushed open the screen door. No one
could see her from the street and
there was only the silent. shuttered
house next door. vacant for years.
Swinging her basket gently, Susan
crossed the velvety lawn to the south
trellis. where her roses grew. Quiet
ly she moved about among the great,
rich blooms. until, spying perfect
rose high on the trellis. she climbed
upon the garden bench. to cut the
flower. She leaned eagerly forward.
slipped and in clutching at the trellis.
dropped the rose. II fell. with a soft,
little sound. fairly upon the open book
Of q man In the garden. next door
Stsrtled. he looked up. dropped his
book and seized a pair Of crutches at
his side. When he had risen and faced
her, Miss Susan saw upon his uniform
a majors insignia.
Hello. Sunbonnet Suel" he said.
twiriing the rose. ''ls this posy for mel
Many thanksi"
Arrangement widened Miss Susan's
dark eyes. Indignation lent n rosy
flush to her cheeks, but suddenly. ms
realization of the mans very natural
error came TO her. amusement tilted
the corners of her mouth and revealed
dimple.
IL dropped It," she said In pretty
embarrassment. 'but you are quite
welcome TO 1t. Would you care for
moref have so many"
The majors cap lay on the grass.
and the sun turned the gray In his
black hair to silver.
81 should like some immensely: my
orderly. who keeps house for me.
doesn't care much for 'gew-gaws' and
the old place needs bright touch or
two"
Susan was snippIng busily; she had
gotten down from the bench. but the
major was tall and could lean over
the fence easily.
81 have come TO live here" he con-
tinued, "for the summer. at least. Ar
rived last night. The place was left
me by a great-aunt whom I'd never
seen. I didn't take the trouble TO in
vestigate until the surgeons agreed
that several weeks rest was impera-
tive for this leg of mine. SO / packed
up and brought Thompson along"
Susan's cheeks were pink as the
roses she handed over the fence; al
most In panic she picked up her basket
and fled to the house.
The major was in his garden that
day and the next and the next In fact
even when II rained. the major found
It necessary to get breath OF air in
his back garden.
The summer passed and with 1t the
roses. But nasturtiums bloom faith-
fully and persistently. with care. un-
til late in the autumn. Never had
those on Miss Susan's back fence been
such a riot Of color and when one
caEnot have roses to tighten ones
rooms nasturtiums do splendidly.
The crutches were abandoned and "A
cane took their place. Over the fence
the major told his war experiences,
thrilling. sad or humorous. Miss Susan
listened with shining eyes but she said
very little. She did not exchange con
fidences with the major. but always
she wore the frilly sunbonnet with the
braid over her shoulder.
One golden morning In September
the major said brief good-by. Susan
clutched wildly at the fence.
'But-are you able? Your leg"
she began. The major was very pale
and stern. his voice was hoarse.
'When a man Is on the point pf
making u fool of himself, dear child.
II IL time to say good-by. l am forty
two and you are mere baby. Forget
me. little Sue. but don't forbid me TO
remember you. Some day when You
are older think that his love for you
ooes wsds . pan better"