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

When she again CAME into the range
Of his vision, she was bending over 9
moss rose bush. She heard his ap
proach, but did not turn her head.
"What are theseW she asked, indicat
ing the pretty red buds with her taper
ing finger.
Borth mentioned the particular
variety of moss rose, some countess Oh
duchess. 'It is a beautiful specimen
and a rare one" lie added.
"Ah, indeed! Break me off two OF
three, please"
Borth dropped on one knee, deftly
severed a half dozen buds and handed
them to her. She thanked him and
moved away.
Mr.. Borth took out his handkerchief
and mopped his brow.
"Well, this is the oldest experience
ever had! Shall follow her again an6
speak to her? She seems to be perfect
ly at home and to regard me, egad, as
the earth under her feet. How am te
ask this magnificent young person
what her business is here~
His perpleXity was relieved for the
moment by the lady herself, who, look
ing over her shoulder, called softly:
"Will you come here momentY'
Borth hastened to her side.
"What is that lovely rose thereY' she
asked.
All, that rose-the pride of his gar
den, a splendid Souvenir de la Nal
.maison which Borth had watched slow.
ly unfold in the hothouse, and only q
fortnight before had he superintended
its transplanting in the garden. There
were now two perfect blooms on the
stalk. He told her it's name.
"Cut me off a rose, please"
Borth hestitated an instant, and his
face heightened. She saw it. II sup
pose you know that am Miss Olney,'
she added
The name conveyed as much to Borth
as though she had said, 81 am la file
du Grand Mogul," but he clipped a rose
and presented it to her, with bow.
Miss Olney, everything in this gar
den is yours" he said gallantly.
81 am glad you realize it," she replied
as she pinned the rose in her corsage
81 thought you were ge.ng to question
my claim
~ NJ for moment" he said. 81 feel
too highly honored by this visit, Will
you allow me to show you through the
garden? Perhaps there is something
else you will fancy"
If he intended any irony, it was lost
on his fair visitor. She suffered him to
walk beside her as she might have toll
Grated spaniel or tame cat and did
not trouble herself to speak further.
Borth pointed out some of his rarest
and most beautiful blooms. Twice he
asked her to accept other flowers, but
each time she declined.
''No; l shall not despoil you further.
see you are jealous of your pets
she said, "and l do not wonder. You
keep the place beautifully"
They had now finished the tour OF
the garden.
''Do you wish to remain here" she
asked, ''or have you made other ar
rangementsw
Borth looked at her wonderingly.
'I-I-certainly /. expect to remain
here-that is, if you have no objec-
tion," he said, unable to repress a
mocking smile.
NO" replied Miss Olney musingly;
81 do not think could do better."+ She
lifted her eyes from the ground and let
them rove over the garden. Il am de-
lighted with the place. l had no idea
it was so beautiful"
Mr.. Borth bowed low. He felt as
though he ought to say, "Your royal
highness does me too much honor"
'Yes; 1 think shall engage you at
once" said Miss Olney.
The humor of the queer situation
was beginning to appeal irresistibly to
Borth.
81 must warn you, Miss Olney,". he
said, smiling, that am very high
priced parsonage"
Don't think to take advantage of me
because l am a woman" she replied
quickly, ''for you will find me a good
business woman, can assure you.
You shall be paid just what you are
WOItu W lAc, anu AO ulOlc. 1ucA Silt
added, less emphatically: 'But you
will find, too, that l am not ungenerous
when 1 am pleased. Try to please me,
as am sure you can, and we shall not
quarrel over your compensation"
Miss Olney was now walking toward
the front Of the house, and Borth
walked beside her.
Il shall not have time to go into the
house today" she murmured. II have
tarried too long in the garden"
Mr.. Borth was devoutly thankful for
this. He felt very certain that his