The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-10

matter TO himself But he worked for
some time with his blond beard on his
shoulder in his Impotence to see them
come out At last. he could resist nc.
longer. He knew a point where he could
look through the glass and see whatever
was taking place among the roses. He
walked ewfftly across the turf to that
point. lie looked IN and saw Maud.
whose back was turned toward hin,
talking as II she were pleading for her
life. while Farnham listened with a
clouded brow. Sleeny stood staring with
stupid wonder while Maud Iaii her hand
upon Farnham's shoulder. At tina. mo-
ment he heard footsteps on the gravel
walk at some distance from him. and
he looked up and saw Mrs. Bedding sp-
preaching. Confused at his attitude OF
espionage, he walked away from his
post. and, as re- passed her. Mrs. Seld-
ing asked him IL he knew where Mr..
Farnham waA
Yes" he answered, "he's In there
Walk right in:'' and In the midst OF his
trouble of spirit he could hardly help
chuckling at his own cleyerness as he
walked, in his amazement. back to the
conservatory.
While she was In the house. Maud had
confined herself to the subject Of the
vacancy in the library. She rushed at
1t. as hunter at hedge, TO get away
from the other matter which had tor
n,ented her for q week. When she found
herself alone with Farnham she saw
that II would be ''horrid' to say what
she had so long been rehearsing- NOW
can get that place, II you will help me.
No earthly soul knows anything about
It. and Minnie said she would give me
a good chance before she lets 1t out"
Farnham tried to show her the Difficult
ties In the way. He was led by her Gag
erness into a more detailed account OF
his differences with the rest OF the
board than he had ever given to anyone,
a fuller narrative than was perhaps con-
sistent with entire prudence When
ever he paused, she would insist with
a woman's disconcerting directness:
But they don't know anything about
Il this time-they can't combine on any
body You can certainly get one Of
them"
Farnham still argued against her san
guine hopes, till he at last affected her
own spirits, and she grew silent and
respondent. As she rose to go, ne also
took his hat to return to the garden,
where he had left Sleeny, and they
walked over the lawn together. AS they
approached the rose house. she thought
OF her former visit and asked to repeat
IL. The warm breath of the flowers sa-
luted her as she crossed the threshold,
bringing so vivid "reminiscences OF the
enchantment of that other day, that
there came with 1t sudden and poig-
nant desire TO try there. in that bewitch-
ed atmosphere, the desperate expert
ment which would decide her fate There
was no longer any struggle in her mind
She could not for her life have kept
silent now She walked slowly beside
him TO the place where the pots of
roses stood ranged on their frames, fill
ing the air with dense fragrance. Her
hands were icy cold and quick fiushes
passed through her, while her face red
dened and paled like a horizon srnitten
by heat-lightning in a sultry night Of
summer She looked at the moist brick
pavement at her feet, her eyelids SEEM
ed too heavy to lift, and the long lash
es nearly touched her cheeks.
What sort will you haveT" said Farm
ham. reaching for the gardeners shears.
Never mind the roses" she said, In
a ryxoice which she hardly recognized
as her own II have something to say
TO you
He turned and looked at her with sur
prise She raised her eyes to his with
a great effort, and then, blushing fiery
red. she said. n a clear, low voice. az
love you"
Like many another daughter and son
of Eve. she was startled at the effect
of these momentous words upon herself
OF all forms OF speech these three words
are the most powerful, the most won
der-worl<ing upon the being who utters
them 1t was the first time they had
ever passed her lips. and they exalted
and inebriated her. She was suddenly
set free from the bashful constraint
which had held her. and with a leapins
pulse and free tongue she poured out
her heart 70 the astonished and scan
dalized young man.
Yes. 1 love you. You TANK It's hor-
rid that I should say so. don't you? But
don't care, love you. I loved you the
first time saw you, though you made
me 50 angry about my glasses. But you
were my master. and I knew it. and
never put them on again And I thought
of you day and night. and 1 longed fol-
the day TO come when ! might see yoJ
once more. and l WAS glad when I do
not get that place, SO that l could come
again and see you and talk with YOU
can tell you over again every word you
ever said 20 me- You were not ike 9th.
er men You are the first real man
ever knew. ! was silly and Wild when
wanted TO be your secretary OF course
that wouldn't do. Z am not 20 be
your wife. must never see you again
you know that. doac YOU" and. car
ried away by her own reckless words
she laid her hand on his shoulder. His
frown OF amaZement and dIspleasure
shook her composure somewhat She
turned pale and trembled. her eyes fell.
and Il seemed for an instant as If she
would sink TO the floor at his feet He
put his arm around her. TO keep her
from falling and pressed her closely to
: HIM She threw her head back upon his
shoulder and lifted her face 10 him. He
looked down on her. and the frown
passed from his brow as he surveyed
her flushed cheeks, her red. fun lips
parted III breathless eagerness; her dark