The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1919-09-25
FL0RY
BY MILDRED WHITE.


Whose twaddle'" asked a sweet
voice near him. "is III"
James glanced at the cover.
"By Flory," he quoted coitcmptu'
nu>ly. "Flory is exactly the sort OF
person one would expect TO touch up
ON her subjects. like butterfly among
the flowers. with no substance or real
ity To- hold
side. "imbibed some ~ Flory's poetic
phraseolngyy Now. know man who
* enruptured over the little books.
considers them the acme of art. Ger
tainly they sell we'll"
James Comstock turned to look into
the piquant face appraised TO his own.
Like various other guests at Mrs. Van
Houton's house party. he was exceed
ingly curious concerning this new ar
rival in their social midst.
The rest of the crowd had been
known to each other. either by nam"
or reputation for years, Rhoda Kent
was one OF Mrs. Van Houton's discov-
cries. To use her sons expression. his
mother had sprung new one, aud
She was delighted In her young
friends reserve. The most favored
had been able to learn nothing of
lihoda's past. present or future from
her own lips.
II was the unusual charm of her per
sonality which caused deep interest
upon all sides. aud much conjecture.
Her clothing, though in good taste. was
So independently simple that many
wondered II Mrs. Van Houton had
taken on a protegc.
James Comstock. being sccrpiably
the most interesting man In the set,
was naturally her Nis.a-Sis. In fact.
during the days of proximity in the
fine old house his heart had known its
first serious affection.
James. the heretofore 'nvulnerable.
was. ~ Blly Van iioutnn said. de
cidedly hard hit"
Never before. he gloonily admitted
TO himself. had face OF voice Of WON
an haunted the nightly hours which
should be devoted To healthful stun
Der. So James was justified In pos
sessing more than the usual share OF
curiosity concerning the real NJ. Of the
winsome Rhoda.
Perhaps" he said In answer to her
defense OF the book discussed, this
'f'lory' may say more, IN Hight man
ner. than I am clever enough To grasp.
But, fancy, for instance being mar
ried to such n dreamer. Poor husband
n Flory. With his wife always soar
ing above the blue. She isn't so bad ~
rhyme. though, III admit; seems 10
have a number OF little verses scat
tered through here and there, with n
bar OF music TO start them on. Helps
to sell. suppose. Makes the book
look eav to read.
Miss Kent nodded laughingly.
But you would not want 10 be- the
suffering husband who must listen 10
his wife singing those things around
the house" she said.
Heaven Forbid james pIously
calculated ArI the lovely girl at his
side arose Ia .csponse TO Mrs. Van
lIouton's call.
Come here. Rhoda. cried that mer-
ry person. Here are half dozen
bored people wishing to be entertained
Ny hope lies In you"
james Comstock gazed after the
graceful figure rcgretfully. The glance
She threw back at him was strangely
aisquieting. For days he had been
joyously secure In a consciousness OF
the girls preference. tnaccountnhly
encouragement came upon him.
Rhodas ewes had gaZed at him re-
proachfully her lips had closed firmly.
az though In dlspleasure. Then pres
entity he heard her voice In song, as
she accompanied herself upon the
piano.
II was a little Scotch tune that the
girl played and the words sounded
vaguely familiar. Comstock leaning
forward. listening attcniively. found
that voice and tune thrilled him with
inexpllcable tenderness. Where-had
-he-heard-the wordsi-
Idly his gaze fell upon the opened
book Of "Flory.' Then he knew. II
was one of the desplsed flory's verses
that his beloved was singing. And
after a round Of involuntary hand
clapping he heard Mrs. Van liouton's
triumphant announcement
~ had not intended To tell you for
awhile; we have had such fun keep
ing our secret. But Rhoda Kent II
'Flory.' as you have guessed. with
those delightful books to her credit
Comstock' sat staring duly at the
volume in his hand long after silence
proclaimed that Rhoda's audience had
departed. Bitterly he recalled his re-
cent condemning conversation, with
its fervent Heaven forbid!" that a
wife such as she should be his own.
Wen. he had done for himself this
time, he bitterly reflected, and this
time was all than counted In the world,
III you please" asked Rhoda severe
~, "may I have that book of silly
twaddieT"
wretchedly he looked up into the
lovely face above his.