The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-12-26
SWEET PEAS
BY LOUISE HOFFMAN.

| timid ring at the front door Through
the glass panel she caught a elimps
! Of a dainty little woinan in cool whit
wolfe gown. She opened the door ant
! found herself gazing into pair Of tn
softcst velvety brown eyes she had eve
seen.
Scarcely had word of Introduction
been spoken before these comparative
strangers, instlnctively, felt mutlt;l
| attraction.
The little woman, Miss EunicC
| Sprague, was carrying an exquisite
bouquet of sweat peas, which she silent
ly placed In her hostess hands.
How lovely!" exclaimed Gertrude
ecstatically, They are my fayorite
flowers. inseparably linked with my
dearest and sweetest associations
Why. here is my old friend, Marks
Teyt" drawing forth duSky bicolol
Of huge size, land here is Dobbie's
Cream and Wedgwood Blue and beau.
tiful Blanche Ferry with blush-whte
Wings" she rambled on, naming each
In turn.
The little woman's velvet brown eyes
glistened. I'm sure you love them. "
she murmured. sinking into comforta-
BILE winged chair which Gertrude drew
forward. DO you grow themF
1--WE planted some, but unfortunately
they are little late"
Gertrude buried ncr flushed face in
the delicate fragrance and drew great
drafts of inspiration from their depths.
She was so tired. uousework discOur-
aged and fretted 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
ress. chambermaid and seamstrcss,
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 "A
delusion. Yet here was this little WON
an from the narrow confines Of farm
life. who had probably been accus-
toned to this drudgery all her life,
fairly radiatlng peace and quiet.
They chatted away like old friends
on various subjects for u few minutes,
but Gertrude went back TO the flowers.
Come and see my sweet pea trellis,
invited Gertrude.
why" exclaimed Gertrude in rap
lures, as they entered the garden,
"Here is King of the Whites in bios
som. They were my bridal flowers. you
know" she explained happily reminis-
cent as she picked the Clustering i'm
maculato white blossom.
The little woman's yelvsn brown eyes
glowed with a strange sympathy. "IIow
strange" she mWmurcd Then in q I
scarcely audible tone she coniided ,
"They were to have been mine, too.
But your love story ended happily"
with yearning usefulness.
Gertrude Fraser glanced up quickly
In flash she saw the little woman
was yearning for the prize every WON
an longs for. And here she was max
Ing herself miserable because she
couldn't attain an impossible ideal in
housekeeping. Suddenly, she came to
\ realization of her priceless blessing.
mo, no. don't say It's ended happily
ret" she begged, leading the way TO a
oarfnn Soot
The little woman looked troubled and
he sadness ia her eyes dcepencd. 1t
vas such a shock to have this new
'ound friend ruthlesSly dash her cher
shed dream on the rocks.
II meant" continued GertrHde softly
'adiant as she caught the feeting OK
PRESTON, my love story is going on
happily. I'm happier now than l was
N my wedding day." Id
The little woman leaned forward
agerly, I'm so happy to hear you
ay that" she breathed. 81 knew you
aust be happy. How could you be
therwise in a, dear little home like
his? You know" she explained, this
Fas my old home, and I've always
oved 1t. was born here"
"Robert and I were to have been
larried the year before we moved.
We had planned to have oceans of Z
weet peas for our wedding, and Rob
rt had helped me plant them. A month
efore our wedding Robert was obliged
} make trip to Paris, and while there
ar was declared" She paused mo-
lent. 1T Is five years this summer
nee I saw him last gai!y waving his
ap as the steamer disappeared from n
lew. Then one awful day early in the i
ar I received official notice that he T
as lost In action"
A motor whirled into the driveway 60
young man, with the assured air of a a
elcome visitor painfully alightcd and
alked over to the sweet pea trclIis.
S he turned to go to the door, the \
tile woman caught glimpse of his
AIRED features. She started forward
Bob" she gasped 'Is--it--realIy
-you?"
Mrs. Fraser and Bob sprang forward
catch the little woman.
After a few moments, Mrs. Fraser
secretly slipped away, leaving the \
vers in their first rapturous moments
reunion.
A great wave of happiness engulfed