The Dolores star., 1920-01-09
PANSY BLOSSOM
BY MILDRED WHITE.

''S' 9"iu' anu IL you were OF
Japan, that should be your name
Pansy Blossom; because of the purple
Of your eyes, and the thoughts YOU
bring"
Vickie smiled. She sat looking down
Mt the water color sketch which the
Japanese had placed in her hand.
You are poetical. Kato," she re-
Piled. "and an artist, too 1 like your
pansy blossom, and like your pretty
way of naming women" Vickie sighed.
"Everythine here is beautiful enough
10 inspire one to poetry and art. Kato.
can you imgaine lovelier spot? The
sea sparkling before us in the sun
trees. before the hotel. One ought to
be happy here, Kato." The girl moved
her pretty hand impatiently.
"One would be if" she laughed
shakingly, ''if some one were not al
ways taking the joy out of lifc.'
Some one?" questioned the Japan
ese softly, raising his brows. Vickie
drew nearer.
Il just have TO tell you" she said.
ut will be such comfort to coniide,
and you are a sphinx, Kato; wild
horses couldn't draw a confidence
from you"
The youth bowed Gravely.
AT your service. Pansy Blossom"
he assured her.
Mothers apparent purpose in bring
ing me here" said vickie. "was that
might enjoy the pleasure with her of
seaside resort. The real underlying
reason was to break off an attachment
which she had discovered between my
self and Bruce Masters. Mother has
other plans in view for her debutah!e
daughter, than being the wife of hon
est Bruce Masters. Bruce is not rich,
you see, Kato, also he has still his
profession to fight for But he loves
me, and /"
The girl gazed out to sea, tender
smile curving her lips.
II love Bruce" she ended softly.
And this Bruce whom you love is
worthy" Kato asked. She nodded
vehemently.
There's a wealthy banker in the
ofting," she explained, upon whom
mother has set her ambitious heart.
She can't make me marry him.. Kato,
but she can prevent me from seeing
Bruce. Pm sure don't know how it's
ali going to end. You must see, how
slight I'm growing, kato-no appe-
tite at all. And if it were not for
your wonderful musical performance
at the theater each afternoon, l real
ly don't know what l should do. You
help me to pass the time, too. You're
very interesting, Kato. I'm so glad
you are the fashion at the hotel.
you are sorrowful, disappointed"
Kato went on; may be some way ]
can help you"
Dear Kato," Vicke said. "Please
try"
He arose, assisting the girl with
courtly air.
Vickie slipped her hand through his
proffered arm and the two went stroll
ing together down the beach.
my dear Mrs. Varden," an impos-
ing looking woman upon the hotel
veranda said, to woman in an ad-
joining rocking chair, "are you not
afraid to allow your charming daugh-
ter so much of that fascinating Jap's
society? Young people have roman
tic ideas. you know. and the accom-
plished musician may be dangerously
entertaining"
Vickie varden's mother turned sud-
denly startled; then she laughed.
MY daughter is not so easily fas-
cinated," she replied. But the uncom-
Portable suggestion ranked.
That evening the mother felt called
upon to drop q warning remark.
Don't you think that you are be-
ing too good to that Japanese?" she
drawled. Surely there is nothing
about him to so constantly amuse."
To her surprise the girl whlrled
about in indignation.
"Kato doesn't amuse me-" she re-
torted. Il like him; he is my friend"
Speechless, the mother gaZed after
her daughters wrathful departure.
Then in anger, she followed swiftly as
the girl passed out upon the hotel
veranda and deliberately down to a
dusky secluded corner. The mothers
newly awakened fears were realized
The japanese was already there. evil
IDENTIFY awaiting her daughters appear
ance. Mrs Warden drew back against
a jut of the wall, and shamelessly
listened.
"Pansy Blossom" greeted the youth,
"the hours are long when you are not
here"
81 have been thinking" he contin-
ued, that an elOpement must be the
solution. True love should not be de-
MED. 1t grieves me to see you suffer,
and l."
Mrs. Varden's patience could stand
no more.
"You dare" she burst out, ito plan
an elopement with my daughter!