The San Francisco call., 1904-12-13

dwarf pine tree. He was big and
blonde, and good to look at. He
sang "Oh, Maryland. Ny Mary
land" in a heavy bass which was not
at all musical, and then laughed at his
own failure.
Il reckon 1 wasn't around when
singing voices were being distributed"
he said abound, but this certainly is
Paradise-an Eveless Paradise! And
that's what makes it Paradise-how
woman would spoil all thisI I hope
the new owner of Sunny Slope doesn't
intend to live there"
He turned over lazily, and lay on his
chest, supporting his chin in his hand.
and gazing off toward the blue Chesa-
peake from which the breezes brought
the bracing saltiness of the inland sea.
His Eve was coming, but of this he
was biissfully unaware. She sauntered
up the avenue of pines, looking de-
lightedly about her.
"A perfect Paradisel" she muir
INJURED. Il wonder if my land ends
with my driveway, or does it extend
to that one over there"
She pushed her way between the rose
bushes and entered the debated terri
tory, wandering aimlessly along, sing
4LS SOLl4y ana CdIeSSlnS the rose Sn6
had plucked in passing.
At an unexpected turn she almost
stumbled over the long sprawling legs
Of Adam Peyton Randolph.
"Oh, pardon mel" she gasped in con-
fusion, L did not know" and then
summoning the courage of possible
possession, she demanded, Doesn't
this strip Of land belong to Sunny
Slope?"
NO, madam" replied the recumbent
one, gravely, 'it belongs to Peyton's
Paradise"
She laughed gayly, and looked about
her. so this really is Paradise, is it?
And where are Adam and Eve2"
There is no Eve. madam; Adam is
the owner of the place-Adam Peyton
Randolph"
'Oh, yes, 1 know-he is the horrid,
cantankerous old thing who was SO
determined I should not buy Sunny
Slope. My agent told me how this old
mIser kept bidding and bidding until
l had to pay twice what the place is
worth"
interest.
'Oh, then you are Miss Endicott? 1
am so glad. 1 feared it was a North
erner who had bought the dear OLD
place.
What possible difference could that
maker curiously.
"Oh. a great deal" vaguely, 81 do
not want them here"
May I ask" with sudden hauteur,
why 1 should interest you?"
"Because-well." rising and holding
out q big hand cordially, because,
Miss Endicott, I am the 'horrid, can
tankerous old thing Adam Peyton
Randolph, at your service; and 1 con-
fess to a decided preference for South
loII In
friends"
She put her slender hand in his de-
murely. Il am very sorry" with pre-
tense of contrition, but you see, 1
couldn't help being born in Massachu-
setts."
"A thousand pardons, Miss Endicott,
I beg. Your name should have warned
me, but you look so like Southern
4 consider that compliment" smil-
you NAV well-the Southern women
are the most beautiful under the sun;
and I repeat that you look a true
Southerner."
The gravity of his manner saved the
remark from the slightest flavor of i'm
pertience, and the girl smiled brightly.
And 1 am forgiven for being a
Northerner, and for buying Sunny
Slope?"
He smiled in friendly fashion, but
his tone was very serious as he re-
piled, II am sorry 1 made it hard for
you, but you see, 1 really wanted the
place. It once belonged to my father.
l was born there. Under pressure of
circumstances, he sold that, as my
mother preferred to keep Peyton's
Paradise, where she was born. My
mother was a Peyton, he added
proudly
The girl seemed troubled, and it was
several seconds before she spoke.
Il can't help being glad that 1 sue
ceeded in buying the place, but 1 am
sorry you failed. I realize that it must
be very dear to you"
You had more money than I, or you
couldn't have bought it," he said, try
ing TO speak lightly, however / thank
you for YOUR considerate thought. Let
us be friends, anyway, and perhaps
you will let me come often to my birth
place"
You shall play it is yours" cor
daily. as the children do-they are so