The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-03-15

man. Mrs. Aoduen paused. he
died first," she continued Impressive
ly; you was more lucky"
David Sorwood was gazing at the
clothes prop nearest him.
tHe passed away, too" said the
! other, lust as he was rising from
greengrocer's to fruiterers
There's trades and trades, of course,
| but fruiterer's comes about as near
the top as any 1 know. You never
had any dealings in fruit, suppose?"
Her neighbor shook his head. At
ter moments pause he pointed to
the pole on which his eye had rested.
Perhaps you haven't noticed as
that props on my side Of the ground"
| he remarked.
Mrs. Holden gazed in evident an
noyance from the speaker to the pole.
''Bless the man," she exclaimed,
| "well-so it is
'Will you have it moved now or
later? asked David Sopwood.
'rll let you know in good time"
said Mrs. Holden as she retreated In
huff
Her feelings were not the less
raffled by an unpleasant discovery.
Her neighbor. was becoming on friend
ly terms with the Pagleys.. To crown
all, as she sat by her window on the
| following Sunday afternoon she saw
Mr.. and Mrs. Pagley enter David Sor-
woods back door. Then came the
10 -
there had been an invitation. Mrs.
Holden pondered
Presently she rose. Moving to the
dresser she sliced a small portion
from pat Of butter and set it upon
plate. Then having passed the
symbolical privet twigs she raped
upon her neighbours door. 1t was with
little cry of amazement that she en-
tered
ITO think of my finding a party
here!" she exclaimed as her eyes lit
upon the trio "And what nice tea
with bloaters and radishes and all!
! don't know as this little present of
butter that I brought along with me
will be any use now"
David Sorwood eyed her specula-
lively for a while as he wrestled with
some bloater bones that obstinately
resisted election from his mouth.
Take a chair" he said at length.
Them Pagleys isn't thought re-
markable deal Of" the widow con-
fided to him as, having outstayed the
others, she was taking her own leave.
Il thought, being neighbor, I'd bet
ter tell you in case they took upon
themselves to be too familiar and
pushing. Some folk know their place
others don't. You catch my meaning"
David Sorwood gazed thoIghtfully
upon the strips of garden. Mrs, Hold
den, following his eye, OWNED the
meaning of his glance.
81 don't hold with fences in the or
binary sense" she said confidentially,
but there's nothing for a powerful
stomachache but a strong cure"
''Ill think about it." said Sorwood.
1t was after this that the widow
kept an eagle eye upon the doings of
the Pagleys.
II saw that Mrs. Pagley looking in
at your window this morning" she
told her neighbor a week later. "Of
course, she might just have been keep
ing a lookout to see what was go
ing on, same as I might. I'd lock up
that drawer where them two cruets
is if I were you though" she advised
darkly.
"Ah,' said David Sorwood, I'm
looking into the matter of the fence.
It's going to be a high one" he added
after a pause.
You'll find nails on top tears al
most as well as glass;" she replied
with an encouraging nod.
Talking of hot weather." remarked
Sorwood as they parted, 'how did you
| come to find out about those cruets?"
"That was one day that I looked
in to see the place was all right, you
being out" explained Mrs. Holden.
The next morning, summond by
knock, she found David Sorwood upon
her doorsteps.
Seeing that I've got the loan of
horse and trap" he said with diff
dence, Il thought that if you've got
no other engagements you might en-
joy a bit of drive"
The widows heart fluttered wildly
as she hustled upstairs in order to
dress for the occasion. A little later
she was seated in the trap by his side.
Her black, jetladen mantle was re-
lieved by verdant green bonnet.
First bit of real color as I've worn
since 1 was left lonesome" she con-
fidad IN her communion