The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-02-14

moment she saw her gardener friend crossing the
lawn; II almost seemed as II he had been watching
for her, and he had the greenhouse door already
open when she reached II. They said eood.moIn-
ing smingly, like those who were already friends,
then Cecy took out her sixty cents.
VI want TO pay my debts the frst thing she said
protest against but as the money on inc
bench he let 1t remain there.
"You didn't go into the yioethouse,i he said, as
Wouldn't you like Just to look at t2"
eyes, indeed ~ exclaimed .Cecy, who was always
not noticed, which led into side addition TO the
greenhouse, and there on either side was broad
bed Of moss and sand, full OF violet plants, many OF
them IN bl00m--bue, perfect, intense. Cecy stood
GREATNESS with delight Tho young man began TO
81 must give you little bouquet of these, he said.
"oh, u YOU only couldln said Cccy. longingly;
"6nt indeed yon must not. am osfraid Mr.. Ravel
my uncle expects me to do as please said the
young man, carcessly, and winding soft green moss
around the vioeis he handed them to Cccy.
Nov have something else to show you,r he
said, and led the way into n small room where she
had first found him. There he called her attention
over ireils, with rriciy ssclnsliEe leaves. There
were four 9r ave great buds at the top cecy looked
at is the cereus,n he said, IA flower that blooms
only at night. These buds will blossom tomorrow
evening, and before the next sun rises they will he
all closed up and dead"
81 have heard OF It, but never saw one before,n
replied Cecy greatly Interested.
UT would be worth your while to come around
| eagerly; tour friends frequently come. You never
saw anything like 1t, the great, white, magnificent
~ wish could" said Cecy simply; and then, feel.
ing as II she had really no reason orenain any longer
as to carry them ali in her arms at once
"You never can do Il! Don't try said the gar
dener, laughing. 81 will send or bring them around
ers always expect"
"Wouldnt q really be any trouble 2" inquired
Cecy, relieved ny the proposal; and on his assuring
pleasure
herself with taking the Gala and her dainty bunch
"ill bring the Others In about an hour" said the
young man; you'll be there yourself to receive
"ons yes, indeed replied Cecy, with an earnest
ns my time S has come said the young man to him
depart, he iii his cigar and satnered back TO the
house. ~ like that girl better than any one ever
saw II n my life Now wonder how it's all golnsto
Cecy met Belle at her aunt's door, lust going out
"lts case Of necessity, said Belle, gally; ~ must
But Cecy excused herself, because she must be at
home to receive her plants she said.
In about an hour Cecy ran up stairs to carry the
violes to her aunt who was keeping her room that
day with headache. and while talking with her and
lowering around the halls the time slipped by quickly
| enough.
The bell rang, and Cecy went to the door herself.
| There on the steps stood her gardener friend no
ns sTR cave very e ss
| abashed TIL his smile treasured her. She did not
know how pretty she herself was looking In her
simple house dress, hat and mantle being laid aside.
| He brought the plants into the slttng-room at her
request; and then, delighted at finding one there,
and give her few directions about their treatment
From one subject to another they PASSED, until at
last. fairly launched in conversation, they found
themselves talking about books, about life, their
likes and dsllkes, their wishes and disappolntmens.
81 declare! !" exclaimed Belle, an hour later, when
"rhis is the most mysterious thing! VINO ever sup.
| posed those Ravels had such hero of a nephew ?
And do you mean to tell me, cecy, that Gala only
every cent Of dollar for lt!'
| "He says he Will come for me tomorrow evening
to take me to the greenhouse to see the night
blooming cereus In BLOSSOM" said Cecy, demurey.
"Well," / must say,' declared Belle, with an
than ike the Ravel green house. But then, to be
sure, have not been there for nearly two months
and perhaps they have fitted 1t up afresh fol
That evening, as Belle was lounging on the sofa
half asleep, Cecy began to ask her curious questions
man she was to marry; whether she would have
| loved him tile same under any circumstances
been farmer Of swve
then she announced with spirit that 1t would make
no difference to her what business man followed II
she loved him; and OF all occupations she thought
the raising OF vegetables, or Of fruit, of flowers
was one of the incest aud noblest. To all which
| Belle answered sleepily; but remembered wei
enough to give Cecy an rinmerciful teasing about il
| next day.
| Cecy shopping with her. As they were going from
one store to another gentleman met them ant
bowed very politely to Cecy, who returned 1t with
| the brightest OF smiles.
"Who was that, Cecy 2" asked Belle.
"Why, don't you know" replied Cecy. "That's
Mr.. Ravel's nephew, the gardener, who was 80 kind
| TO me-"
"Cecy Leigh" exclaimed Belle, selling Cecy by
| the arms as II she were afraid OF her escaping
'Turn right short about and let US go back up Higt
street, and do you show me the green house you
Cecy obeyed, little startled and after ten minute.
of the fastest walking Belle had ever done they
came In sight Of the greenhouse where Cecy had
met with such good fortune.
"There 'tis," said Cecy, pointing. ''Would you
| like to go In, Belle ~
| This was too much for Belle.
green house belongs to Mr.. Charlton, one of the
wealthlest and most respected citizens OF this little
he lives. Don't you see-these are private grounds
Aud you have been there buying nowers!'
| Cecy stood speechlcss
"and Will show you the Rave greenhouse"
She pulled Cecy along with her little further
and then turning down side street on whose cornel
the church stood. Aunt Mara's Landmark, they came
almost directly to the two modest little wooden
houses side by side, and Just behind them, half built
| into the HILL long. low, unpretendng greenhouse
"There, my dear !" said Belle, impressivey, "looS
at IT well! That is the Ravel greenhouse. and
day. They were all bought for Kate Groves wed
ding. Why, don't cry, Cecy! think It's splendid
Louis Charlton KNOWS anything about s o'''ues
But Cecy, wholly troubled and bewildered ant
ashamed could not accept II as joke. She declared
she should take back every plant she had bought
and 1t was too bal for him to deceive her so II wa
indeed.
"Never mind, chlld." you can explain the mistak,
when he comes for you this evening""
"But can't go with him. cried Cecy. "oh, 1t il
80 dreadful!n
But 1t was not dreadful at ALL as 1t turned out
He called early that evening" fully prepared to ind
that Belle had betrayed him, and when Cecy met him
In her humiliation there was only very charming
little scene OF reproach and reconciliation, like
pretty drama that ends well before you have hardly
time to feel troubled about 1t. She went with him
after al and came home again two hours later
looking like her own mountain dases. wee modest
crtmson-lipped." and bearing in her hand snow.
cereus Sc had seen all the Charitons. she said AM
they had been 30 kind to her andlaughed and petite
her.
"But," said Cecy to Belle, a few months after. -
don't seem bit nearer TO having home of IN
own, for Louis has set his heart on travelling for
! year,
And when, tho next summer, Cecy might be see
In her pretty gray travelling suit. climbing the High
lands, or, later, roaming among the peaks an
glaciers OF Switzerland carrying her long, pointe
alpenstock, with radiant face and shining eyes. sh
looked more like pilgrim than ever, her young nus
band said.
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