The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1931-01-09
instantaneous
Love Affair
BY RUBY DOUGLAS
ftCopyright.l

- of the big living room of his sis
ters house and looked out into the
drizzling rain. Two half-grown lads
were attempting, more or less futileIy.
to set aeut some lilac bushes in the
lot next door. Bob had been watching
them for some time.
II say, Helen," he called out to his
sister in the other room, 81 have more
than notion to go out and help those
boys"
what boys?" asked his sister.
"Oh, couple of lads who have
tackled a job too big for them in the
new place next door. I'd love to give
them hand and | need the exercise ,
"But-Bob, it's raining and you must
remember YOU are not well yet" pro.
tested his sister.
Bob had spent the last two weeks
out on Long Island at the advice of
his physician who thought rest after
a severe attack Of "fu" would put him
in good shape. His sisters home had
been more than warmly offered to him.
but now he was beginning to chafe
under the inactivity.
After an argument in which the
convalescent won, he found himself
arrayed in borrowed raincoat and
galoshes cutting across the wet grass
to where the boys were still strug-
Cling with the unwieldly bushes.
Tackled a tough job, boys, didn't
your" he asked.
you said it," spoke up one.
Let me give you a lift" said Bob.
taking the shovel from the other.
In short time he was cumming
with the boys as if he had been their
contemporary and the work was
progressing splendidly. And, more
than that, Bob Marvin found himself
feeling the thrill of life as he had not
felt ii in weeks.
The three were setting out the last
of the lilac bushes when lovely girl
came upon them.
"Sis-of all things" exclaimed one
boy.
Good night I" said the 9th ar with
brotherly appreciation.
Mother told me that you boys were
trying to set out my lilac bushes
that Tony had not come to do it--and
| was worried for fear you would
make mess of it, she said, flashing
q brilliant smile at the stranger.
"They were having q rather tough
time of it until came out TO get some
fresh air and have some fun with
them" volunteered Bob.
This is our sister, JOY" began the
elder Of the lads with a genuine, II
belated, attempt at the courtesies.
"And | am Bob Marvin-my sister
lives right there" said Bob.
After few rather inane remarks
the quartette became almost as friend
ly as the trio had been and Joy ex
planned that these bushes were som,
very cherished lilacs known as Lucy
lilacs. Lucy had been the old colore.
woman who had lived below then
when they were tiny tots and ha
done days work and helped to brin.
them all up. She had grown suc
large and lovely lilacs year after yea
about her little cottage garden thai
Joy told her when they got into Their
new house the first thing they were
going to plant was some of those
lilacS
When Bobs sister could stand no
longer the worry over Bob being out
so long in the drizzle she called him
ont of an unnpr window
Bob replied to her cheerily and
turned to his new friends "Com,
along in and we'll have a cup of hot
tea. My sister will probably pour no,
toddy into me and wrap me up in
blanket"
Joy stepped back. "Oh we couldn't
think of intruding"
''Intruding, nothing My sister
would love TO have YOU" he said, look
ing straight into Joys lovely eyes.
Bob's sister was delighted She had
been wondering what the new neigh
bors would be like
But there were two at the tea party
TO whom il was a er-to-be-forgotten
occasion. Bob knew that after having
met girls up and down the world b,
had come out to Long Island TO fook
into the eyes of The only girl in the
world. He tried to be patient and he
succeeded rather well.
Each day found them together on
the new lot and Bob's sister gave them
many opportunities to be together
One June night Bob wandered with
Joy to the shadow cast by the tallest
of Lucy's lilac bushes.
do you remember the day we
shipped all the buds off these lilac
bushes, the day after we. planted
them?" asked Bob.
"Yes-and | said ii didn't matter
il we missed one years blooms be-
cause there would be flowers and
fragrance forever II the plants were
cared for-then? OF course re-
member. Bob. Silly"
"And do you remember that told
you something else would be wonder
ful-and fragrant, forever, Joy2" he
asked
She did not answer.
at was our romance, dear. Our
love. For you do-you did love me
then as ! did you? Tell me, JOY? IT
was instantaneous-ou recognition of
each other?"