The Somerset reporter., 1907-06-13

time - go into the house today Thank
you for showing me through the gar
den" Then quite pleasantly. What
is your nameY'
My name is Bently," he replied.
Good day, Bently,' she said. Il
think we shall agree
CareIessly nodding to him. she moved
on in the direction of her carriage The
footman alighted and opened the door
and Bently watched her drive away.
Several mornings later Bently was
out for a mornings ride on his favorite
saddle horse when he saw a carriage
approaching with two people in It. His
heart beats quick enCd as he recognized
Miss Blaney. The other person was
real estate agent of the name of Hunt
with whom Bently was well acquaint
ed.
As they approached he raised his hat
to Mr.. Hunts salutation. Miss Blaney
started and looked at him with eyes
that expressed surprise and dismay.
Bently quickly turned up lane and
gazed intently after them. He saw
her bend over and speak to Hunt in a
hurried. anxious way.
He turned his horses head and fol
lowed at respectable distance, but
not until he had given the carriage
ample time to disappear AS he fol
lowed a turn in the road he saw 1t pass
his own property and turn Into the es
tate adjoining him. Then the light
broke over him, and he saw through it
all He made a quick dash for home
and to change his riding costume, hav
ing IA presentiment that he was going
to have a call from Miss Blaney.
"A lady called and asked for you,
Mr. Bently. She would not come In, so
| gave her seat in the summer house
while l hunted you up"
Bently sprang to his feet and has
tened to the summer house. Before
reaching the house he saw her APP
preaching.
Mr. Bently, | have discovered my
mistake" she said before he could
speak, land have come to apologize for
my ineXcusabIe rudeness. am GER
tainly Inundated"
Her cheeks were crimson, and the
expression on her face was one of gen
uine distress.
"Why, Miss Blaney," began Bently,
~ consider it beneath any notice"
But she interrupted him NO please
allow me to explain. About year ago
my uncle purchased the next property
and made me a present of 1t. | saw 1t
once. but for few minutes only, just
before we went east Several days ago
| returned to take possession. On
Tuesday Of last week drove out to
see it. | was to have met Mr., Hunt at
Barclay station but missed him. |
never dreamed | would make a mis-
take in the place, but they are quite
alike from the road. | drove in The
garden looked so inviting | sauntered
In. You know the rest"
Yes. You found q cranky looking
fellow in rough clothes digging in the
garden. and you naturally supposed
him to be the gardener"
THE Idea Think of how behaved;
ordered-yes, ordered-yOu to cut me
those flowers Oh" She covered her
face with her hands for a moment.
Wasn't that splendid7" The young
man laughed joyously.
But you were somewhat to blame
yourself" she said, with an indignant
fash OF her splendid dark eyes. you
must have realized my mistake at once.
You were very unkind not to tell me"
MY dear Miss Blaney. had not the
least idea who you were. 1t took me
until this morning to realize the true
state OF affairs On Wednesday was
al a loss to tell whether 1t was queen
of the royal blood or a fairy princess
who so suddenly appeared before me.
| only know that | was elated at her
company and highly disappointed when
she left"
Bently accompanied her to her car
rIage and handed her in.
Il hope you will not worry over our
our little comedy VIII your"
Not a bit | felt bad for awhile,
but I'm through with It, am not seek
ing trouble"
Earl Bently passed a happy summer.
All his horseback rides, sails, golf, ten
mis- and little picnics were in company
with her 1t seemed to Bently that he
had loved her from the first glance he
got of her that morning In the garden.
Many of their small parties also in
cludcd Mr.. Blaney, the father and Miss
Bently, Earl's sister They made an
ideal number. The former always
went to sleep, and the latter lost her
self in her fancy work.
One beautiful October night when
the Bentlys were having house party
Earl Bently, with designing mind, in
vited Miss Blaney out on the veranda
to take look at the moonlight, The
garden slept under the splendid full
moon, and the waters Of the sound
were covered with a sheen of silver
ut was there | saw you first" he
said, pointing to patch of white
cleaning amid a dark green. ION that
very spot we parted on that beautiful
morning in June and there you made
me promise"
"Me-a promise?"
by light, graceful movement she
drew back until her face came within
the shadow of an overhanging wood
blne.
81 can repeat your words, 4 believe
we will ngree"
"Ah, yesr came from the shadow of
the vine But that was to my garden.