The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1899-03-24

~ great. blushing jacks Ghev cor.
sidered me one. beyond doubt. and
walked boldly over and rang the ster-
Angs bell. The white-capped maid
who answered my ring showed me bv
Ler Wide-open eyes that my reDuted
falling was well known even I'm that
quarter. left message that my rose
gardens were at the ladies' disposal.
and fed.
That morning had put the finishing
touches on my new work, Roses and
Their Cultivation" and for want of
something better to do began a novel.
Before l had proceeded far knew ii
would never see publication. for IL was
q partly imaginative account of nv
own affairs, and as progressed be-
gan 10 weave a little romance about
Phyllis and myself, a foolish thing for
an old bachelor to do, ofcourse Then
decided TO wait. at certain poiDt.
and let the situation develop itself.
1t developed rapidly the next day;
in the morning l received a daintiiy-
written note from Mrs. Sterling ex-
pressing thanks for the roses. and in
yiting me TO tea for that evening.
accepted the invitation, it is needless 10
relate, and it may be Of interest to add 7.
that l did myself credit. They Jiscov-
cred that was quite equal to such .
& social function, and l trembled not.
neither did l grow purple in the face
and stammer."
Things went merrily for several
weeks. saw my neighbors frequent
ly, and Phyllis and often talked across
the dividing wall from our respective
gardens.
Then, when l had rescued my reputa-
tion from the clutches of Mrs. Pea
body by my own courage and persever-
ance, that courage failed me at the
critical moment.
How was ! going to inform Phyllis
that didn't want TO be a bachelor
any longer? was sure it was a matter
OF no consequence 10 her; / dreaded
to appear in the role Of an ancient
adorer. I'm not so old. after an. q
could see Genevieye's mirth ready TO {
break out at any unguarded moment. C
Mrs. Sterling was evidently sympa- J.,
thetic, but phyllis-she was inciTer- Il
ent. As my only consolation finished 90
up that novel with a happy ending, p
placed IL in one OF my little blue covers. -
aud buried it away. with many sighs.
n drawer Of my desk with several T.,
others similarly bound. and straight cl
way forgot all about its existence. 81
One day Phyllis begged me to allow IL
er TO read the original manuscript Of
Roses and Their Cultivation" before
was sent off TO the publisher. De- W
ghted to fulfill her wish, / went TO We
ny study and seized the desired vol he
me. which / gave to her. Then hur- IN
led 10 catch the afternoon train TO
be city, MS had some urgent business
) transact there. al
The next day, perceiving PHYLLIS in nc
le summer house, l went over 10 see XII
Pr. Before had been there SIX min me
les knew something was amiss. She / Il
emed embarrassed, and although she of
'pt her face turned away, could see wa
at even her little ears were a deep can
nix. Her voice usually so frank and bos
EAR, responded TO my commonplace n
marks In low. hesitating tones. -
well, Miss Phyllis, did you enjoy ,.1 ,"@
e manuscript" oiu
Very much," came in scarcely audi gan
: tones.
IF you care for It you may have q
at copy. as have another can send hho
the publisher" continued cheer attn
ly. Uni
pair Of startled eyes met mine and and
azed voice repeated: can
The publisher? Surely. o. surely. men
Gay, you never intend to publish @,
amo
he held out my supposed treatise :, :.
Roses and, shades Of my ances-
5, on close inspection | recognized '.'" u
novel! In my haste had given si's
the wrong manuscript! resp
hyllis was evidently angry. II ever teers
lshful man was in a tight fix. was.
first calmed her anger by explain An
the mistake; told her had only i've
ten the novel for my own amuse- wo
I, for which imprudence | now of h'
bly apologized; then, blind as | terio
! did not notice how sad her face some
me as / continues: vauit
never intended you to see it, Of She
Sc it is all fiction. pure and sim "bi
especially simple. Every word Of ohn-,
ton" 0"ui'
! only fiction, Mr.. Gay?" she i'' "
trife stiiily
en- my good angel turned a ray Of A P
into my darkened mind, for / an that
ed promptly. with the courage Of bareh
onNiction; rheun
is in your power TO make il truth. and II
lis. VIII you, dear?" no cit
Z she murmured "Yes.'-Crcdited ons -
icagO Tribune to Exchange.
ncntenntion of Catastrophe. el'ner
I'VE you your rubber overshoes. case
aduke?" asked his wife. soic- casins.