Middletown transcript., 1894-04-21
exultingly. "I'lLreply to to her begonia
with nv geranium!n

exultingly. "I'llreply to to her begonia
with my geranium!'
So out went the geranium, and per
haps it held flower talk with the be-
gonia; but the owners seemed NO
nearer acquaintance than before; FOR
rise as early as Lucy might, the begonia
had always been watered and the cur
tain was down.
One day in late June something was
going on in the neighboring fiat. The
curtain was up, the window was open;
and Lucy with rapid glance. caught
sight of trunk packed and strapped,
and an open valise. An hour after an
express Wagon stood in front of the
building, and quantity of baggage
was placed upon it.
"They have gone on vacation trip, !"
thought Lucy; "and now shall know
my neighbor before fall, and perhaps
never at all"
But-she reckoned without the be
gonia. The morning following there
stood the helpless begonia before the
close-curtained window as usual; but
the earth about it was dry, and the
green leaves were dropping in the Sum-
mer sun.
Lucy $ heart leaped.
Fred" she exclaimed, gayly, "my
opportunity is come! She has left her
begonia, and can water it,
You'd better not move it," said
Fred, "She may come back tomorrow
and accuse you of meddling."
"Well, l can reach over,' said Lucy
and, half climbing out on the balcony,
she watered the plant profusely.
Morning and night she attended to
it; for the weather was sultry, and the
earth dried very rast. Sometimes she
even watered it by moonlight, when
had forgotten it or been away at sun
set.
One, two, three weeks went by.
Il do hope" thought Lucy, that she
will come back before we 60 away our
selves, or she will never know how l
tried to save her flower for herr
I'm four weeks the neighbor re-
turned, and the begonia, grown to
double its former size and filled with
delicate bloom, must have been the
first 'hing she saw when she opened
her dining ro0m window. But Lucy
was not there at the happy momeLt,
and there was no proffered recognition.
Her innocent plotting was not yet
done. Fred's vacation began early in
August, and they were going to Green
wich to enjoy it. Their trunks were
ready, and they were awaiting the
hour TO 60. Lucy went to the window
to water her geranium.
81 was going to take it home," she
said, "it is so pretty now, with its pink
blossoms, like little tree full of roses.
But have decided to leave it for
message to my neighbor. | shall put
it over near her begonia without say
ing a word, and leave it to plead for
Itself"
YOU'LL never see it again." prophe-
sled her husband. Bnt she pushed is
across the bale my and closed the win
dow.
I'm fot afraid" she said.
"a happy month flew quickly by in
the old home in Greenwich. Early in
September the Bryants, recruited in
health and spirits, found themselves
again climbing the stairs and enter
ing the little top flat. Fred began to
make fire, and Lucy wound the clock.
''It seems good to be in our own lit
tie home again." she said; and then
with sudden recollection, she turned to
the dining room window to look out
on the balcony.
All! she caught her in the act! The
tall, slender, bright eyed neighbor had
her window open and was watering
the geranium.
The two women looked into each
others eyes and smiled. Lucy
reaching out her hands, received her
plant thriftier han ever, and more full
of bloom.
81 knew you had ministered to my
begonia," said the neighbor, 'and l
vas glad to do something i'll return ~
"Wait minute, ''said Lucy'"I want
to give you handful of sweet peas
from my mothers garden"
81 had mother and garden once, -
said the neighbor, her eyes softening
as she took the flowers. A few more
words followed on each size, and then
the little interview was over.
But We are neighbors now?" asksd
Lucy, gistfully, as she raised her hand
to lower the window.
"Yes, neighbors now!' said the
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 gained
her wish; she had overcome city bar
riers, she had gone about it in her OWL
way, and at last she had neighbor. :
New LONDON, Conn.
GtNav