The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-03-09

TnanE you Tor showing me through
the garden" she said quite graciously.
"What is your name?"
my name is Borth," replied the
young man.
"Good morning, Borth," she said. 81
think we shall get on very well to-
gether."
She nodded carelessly and moved on
toward the carriage. The coachman
sprang from his box and opened the
door, and Borth. watched her drive
away He fastened down to the gate
and looked after the carriage until it
was out of sight. Then he walked
slowly and with bent head back to his
garden. but all it's joy and brightness
seemed to have departed.
Two days later Mr.. Borth was taking
a morning ride on his chestnut cob
along the highway which led to the
railway station. He saw a carriage ap-
preaching, in which were two persons,
q man and a beautiful young woman.
His pulses quickened as he recognized
Miss Olney. The man beside her was
a real estate agent named Boswell,
whom Borth knew. He raised his hat
as Mr.. Borth approached. The young
man returned the salutation, but first
bowed respectfully to Miss Olney. She
started and looked at him with eyes
which expressed astonishment and dis
may. Borth turned up a lane that he
might the more easily gaze after her.
He saw her bend toward Boswell and
say something in hurried and SEEM
ingly anxious manner.
He waited in the lane until the car
riage had disappeared over the brow Of
a hill; then he turned his horses head
and followed it at distance. 1t passed
his own property, and from afar he
saw it turn into the driveway leading
to the Martin estate.
Then a light broke over him. He gal
loped home and, going to his room,
quickly changed his riding dress. He
had a strong presentiment that he was
going to hear something from Miss
Olney. He wandered impatiently about
the house for over an hour and then
went out into the garden. He had q
where he first saw her. At the same
time he could not rid himself of an i'm
preston that he had somehow treated
her badly. He tried to imagine her
own sensations now that she had dis
covered he. singular error.
A manser ant approached the bench
where he sat musing.
"a lady is on the terrace, sir," said
the man, asking for Mr.. Borth. She
would not come in, and 1 asked her to
have seat in the summer house while
l looked for you through the garden"
Borth sprang to his feet and has
tened toward the terrace. While he
was still some distance away he saw
her coming toward him.
''It is fitting that should come to
you" she said before he could speak, s'to
apologize for an ineXcusable rudeness.
1 am profoundly Inundated, and 1 ask
your pardon"
expression of her face was one Of
genuine distress, but she bore herself
proudly even in her humiliation.
'AIy dear Miss Olney," began Borth,
''you must not speak so over such a
trifle." But she interrupted him.
mo, please hear me first. My uncle
bought in the Martin property for me
early last winter. / saw it once only,
just before we went to Florida. l re-
turned week ago. to take possession.
On Monday 1 drove out to see my coun-
try house. 1 was to have met Mr. Bos-
well at Biretta station, but missed
him. never dreamed would not
know the place, but they are alike from
the road. drove in here. The garden
was so inviting. You know the rest"
Eyes; you found a cross looking fell
low in rough clothes turning up the
ground, and you naturally supposed
him to be the gardener"
''He neither looked nor acted like q
gardener. No; there is no excuse for
me-"
'Well, he was gardening, wasn't he?
And that makes him a gardener. Miss
Olney, you have unwittingly paid me
the highest compliment. The cultiva-
ton of flowers is a passion with me.
My work pleased you, and 1 am more
than delighted"
ITO think how behaved and that
ordered you-yes, ordered you-to cut
me those flowers! OH" She covered
her face with her hands for moment.
"Wasn't it splendid?" The young
man laughed joyously.
But you We're to blame, too," she
said, flashing an indignant glance from
her splendid dark eyes. "Why did you
let me so on? You must have realized
at once why was here. 1t was unkind
Of you not to tell me-"
"My dear Miss Olney, had no idea
whom l was entertaining. l am an
Englishman, you know, and it took me
until this morning to realize the true
state of affairs. On Monday was at
less to determine whether it was o
princess of the royal blood or beauti.
full being from another world who so
suddenly appeared before me. only
knew found her most agreeable COM
pany, and I was heartily sorry when
she went away"
This time Borth accompanied her to
her carriage, which was standing be-
fore the gate, and handed her in. She
had refused bis request to be allowed
to conduct her through the grounds in
his new character.
"My own garden is but poor place
compared to yours" she said.
81 should be most happy" began
Borth; but, not wishing to be too pre-
sumptive so early in their acquaintance,