News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-01-11
Over a
HOneyS11ckle
Hedge By A. NJ.

By A. M.
DAVIES
OGDEN
CO11Bright, 1904, by
4. G. Mcclure

The afternoon was sunny and warm,
and the young man lying beneath the
oak tree let the book slip from listless
fingers and his eyes wander idly to the
tangle of green above. Thus it 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.
II hope that | am not trespassing,"
he began doubtfully. IF am intrud-
ing
mo, / believe not" she responded
"Our land stops at this hedge, fancy.
If 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. Il have
rarely seen anything more beautiful"
He was still looking straight at her,
and the girl gave him a suspicious
glance. Il often come here to read
( Omar" he went on calmly. 1T fits in
somehow"
Really" with polite if vague inter
est. you care for Omar, them"
Immensely A book of verses, I'M
jug of wine and thou beside me, sing
ing in the wilderness-ah, wilderness
were paradise now"
The girl gravely unfurled her fluffy
parasol.
81 must not longer interrupt your
reading, then" she said. "Goodby."
"Goodby! But you have only just
come. Please don't CO. he begged.
1--WE read enough for today"
But l 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, ruff1ing
over the pages, read the name aloud.
Gordon LenoX Maxwell. Are you
really Gordon MaXwellY The man
looked surprised.
What do you know of me?"
"Who has not heard of the great ten
mis- champonY she laughed, half mock
ingly. Here is your book"
But you were only a child them
he persisted. And have been abroad
ever since"
Sure, but children have good mem
cries, you Know"
you must have been a lovely child"
he murmured rehectively The girl
frowned.
81 really must 60" she repeated
Maxwell took hasty step forward.
please don't. And forgive me. And
won't you tell me who you are?" Tie
girl shook her head decidedly.
81 only tell my name to my friends"
"And are not we friendsF'
She opened wide eyes. Not yet
surely"
"Well, let's pretend then" he urged.
The girl, gazing at him with more ap-
prevail relented a little.
Lets pretend by all means. I 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 a lovely name 1t exactly
suits your eyes. And is Mrs. Cory
your aunt, them" hurrying on at signs
of danger. why haven't l met you
before? l will come and call" refec-
lively. 81 love Mrs, Cory" The girl
flushed.
mo, no, you mustn't" she cried alb
ruptly-"that is, my aunt is ill., half
confused. Then, at MaXwell's puzzled
stare, she broke into persuasion. Don't
you see how the whole thing would be
spoiled| 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 understands
"But'-objected Maxwell. The girls
eyes flashed.
ooh, very well, then; do it, she de-
clared. What does it matter anyway?
l 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 &C.
quaintance had better stop here and
now"
But" interposed Maxwell again,
cant you see its only because l want
to meet you again somewhere, any
where" recklessly. what do I 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 hedge?"
"If l must" obedlently. "But-am
l never to cross it," Her face changed.
Before l leave I will myself break
the SPELL and then perhaps"-she hest
tated. But until then, no."
"You are going" in alarm. She
laughed again.
Surely you cannot expect me to re-
main forever"
81 could remain here-forever," he
answered.
ION the other side of the fence?" with
tilted chin.
"On the other side" emphatically.
would l were there nowr
ALREADY wishing for my departure"
murmured the girl in exaggerated re-