The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-05-14
ALExA
BY DOROTHY o. GRAVES.
9. l92s. q Msclare NsWspapsr sgnaleats.l

Theodore aged twenty three, college
graduate, six feet two, his near-sighted
blue eyes heavily specialized, and sur
named Thayer, accepted the instruc-
torship in botany In an Illinois uni
versIty. He arrived. a sun-baked,
dust-cazed young man In the town OF
La Sale on torrid day with an arid
prairie sirocco blowing as Theodore
had never dreamed a wind could blow.
He was met with a boisterous wei
come by his old college chtm, Dick
Haskell. Ted, such good luck for you
to come! When heard nearly split
my sides. Boston Teddy In Illinois was
too much for me But come on, there's
bath and lunch ready at home.
After his bath, Theodore sat down TO
| the bountifuI lunch and chat with Dick
and Mrs Dick. Dick kept the CONVEX
| satiOnal BAH bounding. Friday nights
| the faculty reception, Ted. Each man
| takes a girl, so Molly and chose Alexa
| for you"
Dick did" laughed Molly.
| land we're having her over TO tea
| this evening, so you can meet her"
! continued Dick. Then all you have to
| do is to say something about the facrll
/ ty reception and when her eyes bright
en- up you'll say, Won't you come as
my guestT That's easy, and Alexa is
the prettiest girl in La Sale"
'T really do not care for young la
dies, Richard have-er fully out
grown the sex, and my entire eoncen-
tratfon put into flowers and my work
upon them"
Never mind, Teddy, you'll get over
all Of that. Wen make a man Of you
yet"
At tea Theodore fumbIed considera-
bly, and finally upset the sugar bowl
Mrs. Molly, however, tactfully turned
attention away from all his blundeT-
ing.
AIexa, charming as well as beautiful,
fingered the teacup daintily and asked
Theodore about flowers generally.
Theodore answered brusquely and fin
ally ended the conversation with the
comment that he never could get any
thing out Of talking to a girl, anyhow.
Alexa was uncertain whether to be
amused or miserable
Happily Mrs. Molly came to the res
cue. ""Alexa. we are going to expect
you TO help get Ted acquainted here"
Il really must 90, dear" Alexa said
to Mrs. Molly. ~and I've enjoyed the
tea so much, but isn't Mr.. Thayer rath-
er-weEI-er-dfferen she added in
an undertone.
%You mustn't mind him, dear. He's
really very nice and lots Of fun when
you know him. Dick and he were room
mates at college Let's you and help
Dick make a man of him."
AIexa responded with an affectionate
hug as she left, but called back. He
is different, though. Molly"
Friday came. Theodore broke a
lens to his microscope and left his work
early because he could not work with
out it. On his way houeward
A he passed the Drew residence. Alexa
n was on the lawn.
: TheOdore's footsteps On the cement
n walk ceased so suddenly that the ST.
lence fairly shrieked and the girl look,
ed up.
rs it you, Mr.. ThayerT" she called
gayly. How are the lOwers?"
! Theodore, the botanist. suddenly be.
came Teddy the young man. He vault.
ed the picket fence with an assurance
Of himself and a real boyhOod
t "AIexa,7 he said. u am so glad to
v see you"
Il You have pretty hair, Alexa." said
I. Teddy.
S You have beautiful flowers, Mr
e Thayer." said AIexa.
+ ~Oh, but the flowers. they are. e.
e -" Theodore had come again int
his own. The flowers. my dear Mis-
L Drew are very beautiful. BeSid,
+ them, man is but an-er, imperfec
FER, attempt at"
I, But learned at the university tina
D flowers are but one form of evolution
Yes yes, true. Some do teach that
D. but in life nothing is beautiful but M
ture, and plants are nature, flowers ar
plants; nothing is more beautiful thai
the simple little flowers"
; yes. of course" AIexa agreed. AM
= she tossed her pretty head She drew
= her long fingers through her flowing
= hair, so the sun might penetrate tn
T. mass to the remotest curl. Il washe,
my hair" she stated.
= And Teddy was ready. 1t was tn
y hair that did ii. He stammered
'H-honestly. Miss AIexa. do wan
- you to go to the reception tonight"
] Its beautiful, isn't it," Ted asked
his eyes on the holfyhocks-
ID 'aThe hollyhocks. yes. anSwere,
Alexa. Grandmother is so fond O
them"
AleSa watched him quizZically.
y your hair" blurted out Teddy.
2. My hair!" exclaimed Alexa. ~wha