Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-12-29
Say 1t With
Flowers
By Louis RAYBoLD


"a, 1890 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicatep
The sign suspended in a florists
window projected its appeal to the
eyes of Henry Walters. riding by at
the moment in a street car, pucker
of wrinkles between his highly arched
brows.
He had been thinking, wondering
how in thunder to say it, when, pres
to change, there was the sign, "Say
1t With Flowers.
And what was it Henry Walters
wanted to say? Jus this: my dar-
ling Mirabel, for going o five years
have been calling on you Wednesdays
and Sundays, and, of late, on Fridays,
also. love you passionately, devot-
eddy. VIII you be mine and share with
me whatever Is left over of school
teachers salary after paying a so
per cent increased rent, 102 per cent
increased grocery bill, and goodness
knows how much increased amounts
for sundries?"
Henry got off at the next block and
walked back. His problem now was
to select those blossoms which would
adequately describe the various shades
of his feeling toward Mirabel.
Five minutes later Henry glanced
at his watch. He could still reach Mir
abel's at the usual time. Coincident
with the idea hove in sight a messen-
ger boy. Henry beckoned to him and
handed him the box of flowers.
Take this to SO Wayland avenue"
he said, "and-got message form
with your" The boy fished in his pock-
cts and produced one. Under the arc
light Henry wrote diligently, sealed
| the result and handed it back. Then,
by George" he said to himself, 81
may as well get rid of these books,
| too. instead of Juggling them up to
| Mirabel's." ..,. ..,,
So. presently the boy, with two bun
dies, two addresses and fair-sized
| tip, sauntered away. ts, ~,
Promptly at 1855 Henry, palpitant-
TX expectant entered 80 Wqyland ave-
|, nue., .,~.... =. ,,,.. ,....c.,
| 1T developed that Miss Thompson
was in and waiting for him-a very
naughty figure, in spite Of a certain
teariness about the eyes and trem-
bling of her kissable mouth.
Here's your note-and I sent your
horrid old packages right back. Good
by forever"
Henry pulled his hat down over his
eyes and started for home across
town.
An hour later he unlocked the door
of his room. AS he did so his land
lady puffed up the stairs with large
burden.
"a boy brought this just before sup
per time" she painted.
| "All right, never mind" Henry said,
gently but YEARLY. He saw it all now.
The boy had balled things up-had
brought the flowers here and taken
the books to Wayland avenue. Wait
what were the titles of those books?
| Dimly he recalled the titles:
Economical Recipes" "How to
! Make One Dollar Do the Work of
| Two" Home Dressmaking."
Henry mopped his brow. And there
was yet another. What oh, what was
| it? "Every-every@' Good Lord
every Wife Can Be Wage Garner"
And he who believed that womans
| sphere was in the home He groaned
| and buried his face In his hands. For
| suddenly he remembered the note he
| had sent:
Dear Mirabel:
"These tell you better than l the
thoughts of you which are in my
| heart. Let them speak for me the
words dare not utter. Hopefully,
"HENRY." Ky
Puff-puff-his landlady again. Tap
tap
Telephone Mr.. Walters"
In three leaps he was downstairs
Yes-a teary voice was at the other
end of the wire. She had regretted
her hastiness-perhaps it was all a
| mistake-and anyway, her father said
such thrift was all too uncommon in
young men today-would he forgive
her and come back?
More passionately than the Rich
mond roses, he poured his heart into
the transmitter.
"Oh, Mirabel, darling, it was all a
mistake but it isn't a mistake to say
love you, l adore you, I worship
you. And am coming right up to ex-
plain"
On the way to Wayland avenue,
Henry drew exquisite breaths of antic-
lpation. In his left hand he bore a
large cardboard receptacle whose con-
tents would corroborate his recent
statements. Their purchase wasn't a
total loss. But why. oh, why, when he
was racking his brain for a method
Of telling his love. hadn't he thought
of the telephone