Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-08
SOWING SEEDS IN
By NELLIE T..
: "The Next of Kin" "Three Times and Out" etc.

Wv NV iNCNs IL y uOWtIS
for poor Polly, sick and dyin' maybe
with the fever" But dead or alive,
flowers are all right for folks, amt
they, Jim? The train goes at ~ o'clock.
Can We do it, Jim?"
Jim was brushing his hair with one
hand and reaching for his coat with
the other.
Here's the money to nav for the
ride on the cars" Pearl said, reaching
out five Of her coins.
Jim waved his hand.
That's my share of it, he said.
pulling his cap down on his head. ''You
sec. you do the first part, then me,
then Camilla-just like the fiery cross. y
He was half way to the stable as he
spoke.
He threw the saddle on Chiniauy and
was soon ~galloping down the road with
the box under his arm.
Camilla came to the door in answer
to Jim's ring.
lie handed hef the box, and lifting his
hat was about to leave without a word,
when Camilla noticed the writing.
From Pearl" she said eagerly.
How is Pearl? Come in, please, while
| read the letter-it may require an
answer" ~.
Camilla wore a shirt waist suit of
brown, and the neatest collar and tie,
and Jim suddenly became conscious that
his boots were not blackened.
Camilla left him in the hall, while
she went into the library and read the
contents Of the letter to Mr.. and Mrs.
Francis.
She returned presently and with a
pleasant smile said, holding out her
hand, you are Mr.. Russell. l am glad
to meet you. Tell Pearl the flowers
will be sent tonight"
She opened the door as she spoke,
and Jim found himself going down the
steps, Wondering just how it happened
that he had not said one word-he who
was usually so ready Of speech.
"Wcll, WE'LL" he said to himself as
he united Chiniquy, %'littlc Jimmy's lost
his tongue, l wonder Why.
All the way home the vision of lovely
dark eyes and ripping brown hair with
just n hint Of red in it danced before
him. Chiniquy, taking advantage of
his masters p~rcoccupation, wandered
aimlessly against a barbed wire, tnking
very good care not to get too close to it
nlIllSflI. JIM Nullt u hllilStll J'lNt III
time to save his leg from a prod from
the spikes. .
"Chiniquy. Chiniquy." he said
gravely, ~ understand now something
Of the hatred the French bear your IL
lustrious namesakc. But no matter
what the mans sins may have been,
surely he did not deserve to have
u little flea bitten. NANCY, treacherous,
mouse -colorcd deceivcr like you named
for him"
When Camilla had read PEARLS letter
to Mr.. and Mrs. Francis, the latter
was all emotion. How splendid of
her. so sympathetic. SO full Of the true
inwardness Of Christian love, and the
sweet. message Of the poppy, the EN- :
blem of sleep, so prophetic of that
other sleep that knows no waking Is
it not n pagan thought, that? What
tender recollections they will bring the
poor sufferer of her far away, happy
childhood home!
Mrs. ,Francis's face was shining with
emotion as she spoke. Then she be-
came dreamy.
II wonder is her soul attune to the
melodies of life, and will she feel the
love vibrations Of the etherI'
Mr.. Francis had noiselessly left the
room when Camilla had finished her
rapid explanation. He returned with
his little valise in his hand.
He stood a moment irresolutely look
ing, in his helpless dumb way, at his
wife, who was so beautifully expound-
ipg the message of the flowers.
Camilla handed him the box. She I'M
derstood.
Mrs. Francis noticed the valise in her
husbands hand.
''How very suddenly you make. up
sour mind. James" she said: Are
you actually going away on the train
tonight? Really. James, believe l
shall write n little sketch for our
church paper. PEARLS thoughtfulness
has moved me, James. 1t really has
touched me deeply. Ii you were not SO
! engrossed in business, James. / really
believe it would move you but men are
SO different from us. Camilla. They
are not so soulful. Perhaps it is just
- well. but really sometimes, James, !
fear you give business too large a place
in your life. 1t is all business, business,
business .
Mrs. Francis opened her desk, and
drawing toward her her gold pen and
dainty letter paper. began her article.
Camilla followed Mr.. Francis into the
hall and helped him to put on his over
coat. She handed him his hat with
something like reverence in her manner
"You are upon the kings business
tonight" she said, with shining eyes,
as she opened the door for him.
He opened his mouth as II to speak
but only waved his hand with an i'm :
patient gesture and was gone.