The Washington herald., 1907-08-07

N0At the Acu6c lldl separated llc TWO
gardens, and located his visitor. She was
evidently standing on something high
enough TO enable her to overlook the adj
Joining territory.
Drayton went over TO the hedge and
looked down into some exceedingly blue
eyes, surrounded by a fun OF yellow hair,
surmounted by a still lunier Blue bow.
Hello" he said looking down from
his six-foot height. Where did you come
from?"
I've been here often and peeped
through" she condded. Lift me over"
she commanded. in the tone OF one ac-
customed to be obeyed, holding out her
arms
He lifted her over 10 his side of the
hedge and she ran directly to his rustic
seat
I'm not prepared to entertain ladies'"
He stood with his hands in his pockets
and smiled into her upturned face.
What can I offer you, madam"
IN take chocolate, please" She set
tied her skirts over her chubby little
legs and smiled back overwhelmingly.
Drayton looked dubious.
Erin sorry TO say the chocolate is
all out-wouldn't grapes do?" he sug-
gested.
Yes-I dess dWapes will do very nicely.
thank you, and Drayton imagined she
vas probably giving a very good imlta-
ton Of her mothers manner.
When he returned from the house with
a bunch Of grapes and huge peach, he
found that she had filed her lap with
his choicest roses, and was hugglng them
TO her face
I'm doing to live here always-Im
doing TO marry YOU" she announced.
Drayton, thtrty-six, and a bachelor.
actually felt his face turn red.
Er-when?' he asked, feebly
Just as soon as you can det the be-
Gagement ring"
'Of course-Of course-anything YOU
say. But what might be the name of my
future wife?"
Louise-it's mammals name, too"
1t would be lovely 10 have a wife
named Louise, but you wouldn't like my
house, little girl; it's fun Of pipes and
things"
I could stay out in the dargen with the
roses-and you could bring an umbrella
and hold it over me when it rained," she
suggested resourcefuuy.
That would certainly be-uniQue. I see
you would be able to plan things like a
real housewife should. But co you think
you could stand the plpes?"
You could keep all your pipes in one
room-and I could have a little blue and
white room and not have any pipes.
couldn't I? I never have any pipes in my
room"
That's the scheme-we'H plan that blue
and white room right away" he agreed
heartily.
His housekeeper was surprised when
the paperhangers came next day and did
the south room in blue She was stm
more surprised when the van drove up
with all the furnishings for a dainty lit
tie bedroom. She felt hurt, considering
how long she had been ia his service. It
was a special slight for Drayton not to
tell her, first Of all. that he intended 10
be married
But Drayton, following a within, was
fitting UP the room according to the chiId's
fancy.
Late one afternoon he strolled down
the garden path. and found little Louise
waiting for him to lift her over the
hedge.
Your blue room is all finished little
wife" he said. tossing her in the air. 10
her great delight. It's ready for you to
look at I told the housekeeper a young
lady was going to visit her this after
noon.
Are there blue roses on the WALTZ" she
asked, eagerly.
Bushels OF them-and little white frilly
curtains, and dear little white bed-and
fairy tale pictures on the wall"
'Oo-oo-but I certainly do love you"
she chung TO his fingers as they walked
toward the house. Did you det the
Sleeping Beauty picture?"
''Yes-and Princess Goldilocks-lt's a
grand room. all right"
'Well-Ill marry you the first thing to-
morrow, and nurse can send over all my
dolls and things"
Isn't this rather-sudden? Perhaps
your mother would prefer your waiting
until you are week or so older?"
no. indeed, airily Mamma lets me
do anything I want-that is-most any
thing"
But she'll miss you-and your papa
viii miss you"
"Oh didn't you know? / haven't had
any favver for long time-most 'lcven
years, nearly"
Drayton took in the fve-year-old dig
nifty of her in an amused glance.
But If you haven't any papa, I'm sure
your mamma viii get very lonely if ycu
marry SO young"
But I'm doing to bring her over here
to live t0O-and nurse. and d0ggie. and
my canary, and my white kitty"
'Jove, III have to add a wing to the
house, sure as were living. I'm afraid.
little one, We'll have to postpone cur
marriage until I can have a few more
rooms built. You'll nos mind, VIII you
sweetheart2'
Not il YOU bring me some more cara
mels ike the ones you brought me yester-
day seriously
She was silent monent, evidently
evolving new thought
II have such lovely pl1n." she CUR
gled I've decided not 10 be your wife
I'd rather have a favver. its been such a
Ions time since I had any favver"
Drayton caught her up in his arms.
''Sweetheart-you are the dearest little
girl q father ever had" and his eyes were
moist.
When the room had been admired. and
the picture OF Princess Goldilocks. kissed
fcrventIy, and the hOusekeeper had given
her a cream put, they went back TO the
garden.
A slender girl in the other garden ran
70 the dividing hedge.
"Oh Louise, mamma has been so very
uneasy about you, Where have you been.
soorio9s-