Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-09-01
Over a
HOneysllckle
Hedge BY 4. N.
nAvyyrc
BY A. NJ.
DAVIES
OGDEN
Copyright. 1901, BY
Z. C. Nc Cl,lre

anu tAc young man lying Denedtn the
oak tree let the book slip from listless
fingers and his eyes wander idly to the
tangle Of green above. Thus 1t hap
pened that he did not see slender
white figure which came down the hill
to the fragrant hedge dividing them.
Aroused by slight sound, he thrust
back his hat. For an instant he gazed,
bewildered. Then, meeting the girls
surprised look, he sprang up.
Il hope that am not trespassing,"
he began doubtfully. "If I am intrud-
4 ing
mo, I believe not" she responded.
"Our land stops at this hedge, fancy.
II you care to stay, of course-I came
to look at the view," she added, with
some irrelevance. The man nodded.
1T is great" he agreed. 81 have
rarely seen anything more beautiful"
He was still looking straight at her,
and the girl gave him a suspicious
glance. II often come here to read
Omar" he went on calmly. cit fits in
{ somehow
REALLY" with polite if vague inter
hest. you care for Omar, thenw
Immensely. A book of verses, I'M
derneath the bough; loaf of bread, a
jug of wine and thou beside me, sing
Ing in the wilderness wilderness
were paradise now!'
The girl gravely unfurled her fluffy
parasol.
Il must not longer interrupt your
reading, then" she said. "Goodby."
"Goodby! But you have only just
come. Please don't co." he begged.
I've read enough for today"
'But don't know you," she objected.
The man held out the Omar.
My. name is on the title page" he
suggested tentatively, and the girl,
after a moments hesitation, ruffling
over the pages, read the name aloud.
Gordon Lenox Maxwell. Are Won
really Gordon MAXWELL" The man
looked surprised.
What do you know of me?"
"Who has not heard of the great ten
mis- champion?" she laughed, half mock
1ngly. Here is your book"
"But you were only child them"
he persisted. ''And have been abroad
4 ever since"
Sure, but children have good mem.
aTies, you know"
You must have been a lovely child"
he murmured refiectively. The girl
frowned.
II really must CO." she repeated.
Maxwell took hasty step forward.
rs Please don't. And forgive me. And
- mt You tell me who you are?" The
shook her head decidedly.
1Y1 only tell my name to my friends"
"And are not we friends?'
She opened wide eyes. "Not yet
surely"
well, let's pretend then," he urged.
The girl, gazing at him with more ap-
proval, relented little
Lets pretend by all means will
therefore introduce myself as the
Princess of the Blue Forgetmenots,
who lives in yonder enchanted CASTLE"
waving her hand toward the hill.
Maxwell sighed contentedly.
"What lovely name. 1t exactly
suits your eyes, And is Mrs. Cory
your aunt, then?" hurrying on at signs
of danger. "Why haven't 1 met you
before? I will come and CALL" reflec-
lively. II love Mrs. Cory" The girl
flushed.
mo, no, you mustn'tw she cried alb
ruptly- ''that is, my aunt is ILL.," half
Aconfused. Then, at Maxwell's puzzled
stare, she broke into persuasion. Don't
you see how the whole thing would be
spoiledY' she cried. "If we were to
meet at teas and chatter inanities as
people do, If you were to meet me out
as plain Miss Smith-can't you see,
don't you understand
But objected Maxwell. The girls
eyes flashed.
"Oh, very well, then; do It," she de-
clared. What does 1t matter anyway
should not have come here, should
not have spoken to you at all. You
have shown me that quite plainly.
Therefore in any case think the ac-
Quaintance had better stop here and
now" !
But" interposed Maxwell again,
"can't you see it's only because I want
to meet you again somewhere, any
where?" recklessly. "What do care
for Mrs. Cory? You Will come back
here?" he implored. The girl smiled.
"You will promise to stay on your
own side Of the hedgeY, 4...
"If must" obediently. sBut-am
4 never to cross it| Her face changed.
> Before leave will myself break
the spell, and then perhaps hest
tated. "But until then, no."
you are going" in alarm. She
laughed again.
Surely you cannot expect me to re-
main forevery'
II could remain here forever" he
answered.
ION the other side of the fence?" with
tilted chin.
ION the other side," emphatically.
would were there now!
Already wishing for my departure"