60 THE ROMANCE OF EVERIFARM 



from now on will be brighter and be more appreci- 

 ated," was the sage comment of the flowering dog- 

 wood tree. 



The summer passed and winter came on, without 

 the mystery being solved, yet the disappearance of 

 Prairie Rose was the favorite topic of conversation of 

 the trees, birds, and animals of the primitive forest. 

 Many rumors were heard concerning the fate of the 

 beautiful bush, but no definite information came, 

 and finally all the shrubs, plants, and trees closed 

 their eyes one cold winter night, and went into their 

 long, long sleep. 



Just about a year after the day when the vacancy 

 on the hillside was created by the removal of Prairie 

 Rose, and the warm days of spring had stirred to life 

 the trees along the creek, a wagon with the same two 

 men drove up to the edge of the ravine, and began 

 inspecting the various trees and shrubs. 



"Oh, look!" cried Sumac; "the same men are back 

 again. I wonder which one of us will figure in the 

 mysterious disappearance this time." 



After looking around quite a while the two men 

 came directly to the group of shrubs in the ravine 

 and began carefully to dig up not only Sumac but 

 Sassafras, Dogwood, Judas Tree, and many others. 

 The men were very careful, in taking our friends up. 



