The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-06
TODAY'S SHORT STORY

of a. lawyers office. She was surprised into confusion when he swung around and walked beside her.
 Have you a minute to spare. Miss Rose!" he asked. T wish you would just step into Bottoms here and help me select some flowers"
 Rose went. Bolton had wonderful flowers that morning; the whole place was mass of color.
 Never mind the price" urged Mr. Lewis-. Pick out something nice something that would do to send to a lady. How's these? He motioned to. ward great vase of pink roses.
 "Oh, Those are. so expensive Rose gasped.
 But you like them?''
 They are the most beautiful things 1 ever saw
 MT. Lewis laughed softly and pulled out his purse.
 All right, then, I'll take them. One dozen. Mir. Bolton. Thank you. Miss Rose And Rose felt herself dis missed.
 She went home. soberly. realizing StohSOks thut ohG ndu uoI DCCu OhNb joyod to assist Cal Lewis in picking out American beauties for another wonl- an. However. it did not matter. t sst
 Scarcely had she reached home when the door-bell rang and a messenger bsy presented a box. Helen came panting.
 For mercy's sake, Rose, look here florists box for you. Must have been mistake"
 Rose, deadly white. opened the box and her bewildered gaze fell upon the very American beauties she had helped Mir. Lewis purchase scarcely fifteen minutes before. She thought there must indeed be a mistake, but when she telephoned to the florist he told her that Mir. Lewis had written her name on the paper he had handed him. And yet Rose was only, half convinced. He meant to be kind, that was all.
 That night Arthur came into the kitchen where Rose was bending over the range as usual.
 Rose. Cal Lewis is after you. l can see it plain as day. What are you going to do about it: Are you going to have him.?
 'Oh, Arthur. don 't--don't." pleaded Rose And suddenly she ran away, crying for joy.
 Helen began to argue.
 You don't want him, Rose. He's a drifter. No knowing where he came from or what he's been up to. Don't pay any attention to him, Rose" Helen was speaking one word for% Rose and twenty for herself. She would have to get a maid if Rose left her, and maids were so expensive and so wasteful.
 Cal Lewis found a chance to ask Rose to have him. It was in the kitchen, of course. She was there alone getting supper for the family; who were all away, but who were momen. tarily expected.
 Will you have me, Rose: Just as am?" he asked.
 Rose looked into his face and held out her hands. Before he kissed her he slipped a ring on her finger.
 Helen could not believe it was a diamond, being so big. She wanted it appraised. ".
 Two days later Arthur came home full of news. Cal Lewis had bought out ''the old man." paid cash, to. was going to carry on the business himself
 And say, he's trying to get the Bax. ter house for Rose: Now, what do you know about thatZ'
 All this happened long ago. Mrs, ! Calvin Lewis takes precedence of her sister everywhere. She is a real Rose and looks lovely in her city-made clothes and hats. She drives a flash. ing roadster. And Helen is always talking about her--"My sister. Mrs, Lewis. She has everything. But then dear Gals simply made of money!"