The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-12-16


asked somewhat tremulously.
Paint" answered the man laconic-
ally.
With fascinated eyes the girl watch
ed him as the letters grew under his
brush. Across the top Of the board he
painted in big brutal letters the words.
"For Sale"
The pretty neighbor caught her
breath as the cruel sentence, faring
red, stared at her from the board Un-
derneath these words the man worked
industriously for little time.
While he worked the girl gazed back
Mt the garden with tear dimmed eyes.
When he had finished the man gave
little sigh of satisfaction. The girl
looked at the sign again and gasped.
"For Sale" it read This Garden,
Suitable For Factory. Apply Within
to Martin Connor."
"You-you aren't going to nail that
sign up, are you?" questioned the girl,
perilously close TO tears.
"Surew calculated the man.
The man picked up the sign, holding
It awkwardly to save his clothes from
paint, and, with the bucket and brush
In the other hand, again went toward
the gay little summer house. He whis-
tied as he went but the girl, who fol
lowed, with difficulty stifed her sobs.
At the summer house the man de-
posted his painting utensils and Sc
cured hammer and nails. Still whis-
tling, he led the way through Sc
cluded little iron gate to the street.
Once outside, the man carefully nail
ed the sign to the wall. When the
work was finished he stepped back
bit to admire 1t. The girl, who had
watched the proceedings. cried out at
this.
you're peilectly horridr' she cried.
II hate your
| Then the pretty neighbor, frantically
| dabbing at her eyes with an absurd lit
tie handkerchief, ran across the street
| to her own home.
When the pretty neighbor awoke the
next morning she could not think at
first what sorrow was near her. Then
1t came to her In jump. The garden
was to be sold! She shuddered as she
thought of the heartless sign and de.
cided that she would never. never
look at It again.
A moment later she was at The win
dow, peering out at the garden wall
opposite. Her heart gave little
bound as the blank face of the wall
met her gaze The sign was gone.
1t was very merry pretty neigh
Dor that hailed Martin shortly after.
"Ho," cried the pretty neighbor, bold
ly walking through the little iron gate
into the garden-"ho, l knew you
didn't mean to sell your garden! You
thought you'd scare me into loving
your
The man, who had been wedding,
looked up at her. He wore an old
broad brimmed straw hat that In
some undefinable way made him seem
even more strikingly handsome than
ever.
'Tt's sold!"
"Whatw cried the pretty neighbor
in CONSERVATION.
"Yes," replied the man.
"And some ones going to put up
horrid. grimy factory hereY' walled
the pretty neighbor.
Perhaps" said the man listlessly.
"I'm glad you came over" he went
on. "I was afraid I'd have to go with
out saying goodby to you"
"GoodbyW asked the girl, her face
picture of surprise and dismay.
"Yes," the man went on, 'T'm going
away. My train leaves at noon. You
may never see me again."
"Why-why are you going" STAN
mered the pretty neighbor very Woe
fully.
The man looked up at her quickly.
"Theres nothing for me to stay here
for" he replied without animation.
evidently not finding what he hoped
in the girls face
''I'm sorry" said the girl finally.
She extended her hand. In silence
he shook 1t. Slowly she went toward
the gate. When she was almost there
the man called to her.
'I'm BRUTE" he declared contritely.
"for letting you think for a minute
that I'd ever really let factory be
erected here. Since you love the gar
den so you've right to know that the
man who has bought 1t is your father
He will not disturb 1t for some time
not for the present at least"
"Ohw cried the girl. For a moment
her face was radiant, then suddenly 1t
went sad again.
Wouldn't you-won't you come back
some time and visit my fathers gar
denT she asked.
"No, I'll not come back" the man re.
piled. 'Tt-it would hurt too much.
Goodby"
"Goodby." repeated the girl and
slowly went through the little iron
gate, across the street to her home.
Several times during the next hour
she looked at the clock and inyolunta-
rily sighed. The morning was going