Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-11-05

ut Is true in mine--and othersi" she
answered-and he did not see the
point clearly.
you're an artist" he said admir-
ingly rs her fingers, slim and white.
lowered over the flowers. His know
ing, suggestive eyes, were on her face.
McMurry, the old Irishman, whose
flowers had kept his soul fresh through
his city years, called her, giving the
young swell 4 sour look as he did SO.
The filtration ended with the de-
parture Of the wOuld-be f1irter, and
she laid the cards side by side-"Ran-
dali Damon"--he Of the homely face
and gentle eyes-"Roger Hazen"-he
of the handsome face and suggestive
eyes. One was sending violets, the
other costly roses to the same girl.
II know which I would choose" she
thought to herself just before Nc
Murry's voice said, Little guurl, If
wan Of these chaps gets fresh, let me
know" And she knew which one he
meant.
The battle of the flowers went mer-
against the queenly roses. Damon
came in and fingered, chatting with
her about the fiowers-and old Nc
hurry paid no attention; HaZen came
In, and chatted with her about herself;
and the old Irishman looked on with
a scowl. ..
She found herself looking forward
to Damon's visit. She learned he was
q young lawyer in one Of the great
city offices-sOmething in his favor,
she thought; and sEs guessed that the
clean. fine honesty of his face must
make him appeal to men-if not to
women CT certain type. She began
to have vague dreams OF being with
him, within reach always Of the pleas.
ant voice that carried no hint Of dark
er moods. She smiled at the dreams.
Then, one day, looking bit more
tired and worn, he said he would not
send the violets, but take them.
"Things are almost settled" she
thought. He took them for number
| OF times; and then for week he did
not come. The reason she discovered
In the evening paper. His name was
listed among those suddenly stricken
| by the dread disease sweeping the
city.
She thought little; and the next
day the violcts went to Miss Evelyn
Heminge just the same. McMurry
| scowled at the charge TO herself, made
her tell the reason, and then back in
the dingy fower-scented Office, he
scratched off the charge.
| A week went by; then Hazen came
| In, his face a bit cold and the smiling
cynicism gone.
"Just why, may l ask, do these
flowers come to Miss Hemjngc? She
is engaged to ME"
"She-whatY" Loris cried, impolitely
breaking in.
He looked at her sharply. "You get
the idea, don't you?"
She nodded. eyes, and / think I
| can say that no more flowers will 20
to Miss Heminge from here--at least
from where they have been COM
ing"
"All right--let It be understood" he
said briefly as she turned away.
| She watched his straight figure
leave the shop; and her thought went
to the sick man In the hospital who
| had lost Just when he needed It the
consoling knowledge Of true hearts
love.
Impulsively she gathered the dewy
violets at her left, and soon box was
OH It's way to the big city hospital
where the angels Of death and Of life
were striving for victory.
Anyway, love him." she said soft
ly to herself; land he'll never guess
1t from just this friendly remem-
| brance."
| A week later he came hesltatingly
in, the same quiet smile In his friendly
| eyes, the same pleasant mellowness in
| his voice. He was thin and gaunt,
| but there was still the suggestion
about him Of something unconquer-