Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-05-25
LA PLATA, MARYLAND. NAY 25. 1894.

H"D NR5 IA ihbt June bOnttulilS Nto
going on in the neighboring fiat. The
curtain was up, the window open, and
Lucy, with rapid glance, caught
sight OF a trunk packed and strapped,
aud an open valise. An hour after an
express wagon stood in front of the
building, and a quantity of baggage
was placed upon it.
They have gone on vacation
trip, thought Lucy; "and now | shall
not know my neighbor before fall, and
perhaps never at all. "
But-she reckoned without the
oegonia. The morning following there
stood the helpless begonia before the
olosed-curtained window as usual but
iAe earth about it was dry, and the
green leaves were dropping in the
summer sun.
Lucy's heart leaped.
Fred" she exclaimed gaily, "my
opportunity is comel She has left
her begonia, and l can water ii"
"You'd better not move it, said
Fred. ''She may come back tomor-
row and accuse you of meddling.
''Well, can reach over, said
Lucy, and half climbing out ON the
balcony, she watered the plant pro-
iusely. Morning and night she at
tended to it; for the weather was sui
gy, and the earth dried very fast.
Sometimes she even watered it by
moonlight, when she had forgotten it
or been away at sunset.
One, two, three weeks went by.
81 do hope" thought Lucy, "that
she will come back before we go away
ourselves, or she will never know how
tried to save her flower for her.
In four weeks the neighbor returned,
4 the begonin, grown to double its
6rmer size and filled with delicate
lloom, must have been the first thing
Aesaw when she opened her dining
BON window. But Lucy was not
here at the happy moment, and there
ias no prolfered recognition.
Her innocent plotting was not yet
one. Fred's vacation began early in
August, and they were going to Green
gch to enjoy it. Their trunks were
rady, and they were awaiting the
bur to go. Lucy went 70 the WIN
wv to water her geIanium.
was going TO take il home" she
set il 50 prettv now 'Ai-Sis. Z
Pi'k blossoms, like little rose tree
ell Of roses. But 1 have decided to
leave it for a message to my neighbor.
IIshall put it over near her begonia
without saying a word, and leave it to
plead for itself. "
"You'll never see it again." pro-
phesied her husband. But she pushed
il across the balcony and closed the
window.
81 am not afraid" she said
A happy month flew quickly by il
the old home in Greenwich. Early in
September the Bryants, recruited in
health and spirits, found themselves
again climbing the stairs and entering
the little top flat. Fred began tc
make a fire, and Lucy wound the
clock.
ut seems good to be in our Owl
little home again, she said and then
with sudden recollection, she turned
to the dining-room window to look ou
on the balcony.
Ali she caught her in the act The
tall, slender, bright-eyed neighbor ha6
her window open and was watering the
geranium.
The two women looked into eacl
others eyes and smiled. Lucy reach
ing out her hands, received her beau
tiful plant thriftier than ever, ant
mora fu11 of hioom
81 knew you had ministered to my
begonia," said the neighbor, "and
was glad to do something for you il
return"
"Wait minute" said Lucy, &c
want to give you a ha2dful of swee
peas from my mothers garden.
"I had mother and garden once,
said the neighbor, her eyes softenini
as she took the flowers. A few NOR,
words followed on each side, and thel
the little interview was over.
"But we are neighbors now?" Askec
Lucy, wistfully, as she raised he
hand to lower the window.
Eyes, neighbors now!" said tn
other heartily.
"Well, you have succeeded at last,
said Fred, with laugh, as Lucy came
to him where he stood listening.
She smiled happily. She had gaineC
her wish she had overcome city bar
riers; she had gone about it in he
own way, and at last she had neigh
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