The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-07-17
HELPING A BASHFUL LOVER.
BY Juris Prudence.


man l should say, of very retiring
disposition, which had in various ways
and many a time hindered his adj
vancement in life, and led to his seri-
Gus financial and other loss.
That which would have been the
greatest loss of his whole life ne evad-
ed, not by any display Of forcefulness
or ingenuity Of his own, but simply by
the courage, skill and common-sense OF
Mary Deans. She was the daughter OF
old Walter Deans whose back garden
adjoined that of Mrs. Gray, with only
very poor fence between, and num-
erous gaps caused by the withdrawal
of stobs to afford easy access from
one patch to the other.
So often inded were the youn man
and the old together in one or other
of the plots that it would have been
impossible without private informa-
ton to settle the ownership OF either
And Mary was very often with them,
for her love of flowers was as keen
as that of the mems, though hers was
usually displayed in gathering them.
Jamie made her welcome to all the
flowers in his garden, even his choicest
blooms. A higher sign of regard ne
could not bestow, for she knew from
his mother how much it went to MS
heart to see his flowers pulled There
fore she used the liberty sparingly, and
thereby ]. think became more dear 70
James, if that were possible.
For he loved her, loved her more
than his flowers even, and that was
not little, and much of his time he
spent in apparent work within his
garden was spent on the chance OF
seeing Mary She knew that he loved
her though no word had been spoken.
Other lovers she had who were not so
silent and the greatest pain which
Jamie Gray experienced was when he
saw her in the garden with one OF
them. He knew the purpose of their
visits, and gladly would have defeated
it, but that intervening backwardness
of his hindered the attempt. He did
not know that she loved him, and
Mary, casting about for a womanly
way to aid his perception, decided as
first step to discourage the visits OF
all other suitors.
jamie was glad He ventured to
remark upon her unwonted solicitude,
and by the very prettiest blush Mary
would have had him understand that
their absence was her simple way of
increasing his opportunity. He show
ed his gratitude by inviting her to
pull his most cherished blossoms, gath.
cred them for her himself indeed, and
in every way save words told her how
dear she was to him, how much he
loved her, and how happy he would
be If she were his. But other than by
signs he could not push his wooing.
So Summer wore into Autumn, and
Autumn into Winter. There were no
more flowers, and the time of Christ
mas was drawing near.
1t was evening, clear, frosty, moon
light night. Jamie was in his garden
whittier he had gone to see If any Of
He was fortunate in finding one, and
glanced across the fence to see if Mary
were in sight She was not, and with
a sudden acquisition of courage he
made to carry the flower to her house,
when suddenly the door opened and
the lady Of his unspeakable love ap-
peared in sight. Her head, shoulders
and body down to the waist was wrap
ped in thick, warm, woollen shawl,
and as though she had observed jamie
from her bedroom window, and come
out Of purpose to speak to him, yet
with feminine wilfulness she affected
not to see him, and turned her gaze up
to the moon and stars.
Mary" called James from his. side
of the fence
ooh! It's you, Jamie, What fright
We gied mel"
I'm sorry" said he. Are ony o.
your Christmas roses oot?"
II dinna ken. never heard my
father saying Will we mo- come over
an look if its no over dark? l wad
like ane or twa fine, for there's no a
fioo'er in the hoose."
With pleasure James accepted the
invitation, and they walked down to
the tiny, dark patch under the trees
beside the SuRmer-house at the foot
of the garden, where the Christmas
roses grew. He bent down to search
for the little white flowers, and Mary
bent down to help him. He parted the
leaves and carefully inspected every
plant.
Il doot there's name, Mary" he said
"Tt's pity, but it Gamma be helped.
maun just dae withoot them Floo'ers
4 IL -