The Press., 1910-09-14

I WlEn q Y1eW 10 discovering whether
 they were observed. Days passed, and
 the delicate lines were lost in the ex-
 tolerance of the growth, but never did
 the planter see a face at the window
 If his declaration had been seen it had not met with any response
 AtWater argued in this wise: If she
 has seen the flower words and is a
 person of ideality, refinement and
 kindliness she will make reply even
 If unfavorable. So he waited and
 watched. Weeks passed, and neither
 the heavens, the air nor the earth gave
 q sign. Atwaters ideality was giving way before the impatience of love, and
 he was about tu try some more com
 monplace method. Then one morning
 when the air was clear and the sun was shining on the garden opposite he
 fancied he saw in new growth just I appearing above the soil that which
 might be letters, but since 1t came up
 unevenly he could not be sure at so
 great a distance. In another moment
 he had pair of glasses 1eveled at the
 flower bed. The only growth that
 looked like letters spelled ''No.'' Atwater was momentarily discour- aged. But it was evident that there was more coming up which might change what appeared to be a refusal Again the impatience of love impelled him to push for an immediate response, but his ideality again triumphed. He concluded to wait. Realizing how ht. l should suffer watching for a response to his message to grow out of the ground, he absented himself for a sea- son. He returned late at night, and the next morning, to his satisfaction, he saw plainly letters in the adjoining garden to read, q Know You Not" It is high time that we should have a view of what is transpiring in this ideal affair from the other side of the garden wall.
 Miss Edith MacGregor was looking out of her window one morning when she saw young man leave the next house and saunter down the street. It was enough for her that he was nice looking and that he lived next door. Unlike Atwater, whose mus ings on first seeing her were what she might be, she unused on something to happen and, Womanlike, at once de- cided to place herself on the vantage ground of invisibility- is, she would not be seen when within doors and she would appear unconscious of the fact that nice looking young man lived next door.
 While Atwater was assuming that she did not consider him worth look Ing at she was constantly observing him from a dark room that she had fitted up for that especial purpose. Nevertheless when at a window she took care not to look into the adjoin- ing place and never appeared at all except when becomingly dressed.
 And so 1t was that Miss MacGregor was perfectly aware that MT. Atwater admired her before he supposed she was aware of his existence, and she knew he had been. pierced by one of Cupid's arrows before he knew it him. self She had concluded to have a garden that they might have an ex- cuse to meet with only hedge be- tween them, and when he planted seeds to spell 'I Love You" she had seen the letters traced out in the soil before the seeds were put in the drills. Moreover, she had purposely planted in her response the letters "NO" in thin soil in order that they might grow up before the others to give her lover a temporary disappointment
 Miss MacQregor knew very we'll that MT. Atwater was a man of an ideal nature both from his face, which she had carefully studied with glass, and did not therefore propose to destroy any illusions he might have. She knew very well that no man in love will be long satisfied with communica- tions that must take the time neces- sary to grow out of the ground and awaited her lovers next move. So when she received note begging per mission to begin a correspondence on paper she replied that it would be a pity to descend from beautiful and natural letters to artificial ones made with a combination of chemicals.
 To this MT. Atwater replied that, while the flower words were beautiful and not usual, they were very slow. And he made request to be allowed to call.
 Miss MacGregor delayed to reply to this note, but day or two later ap- peared in a becoming morning cos tune in her garden with a small watering pot. Atwater saw her and lost no time In going into his own gar den with garden tools. The lady was watering her plants when, hearing a sound, she looked up with well feigned l surprise to see her lover craning his l neck over the hedge. He remarked | that rne plants needed ra1ns ana she | replied that there was no sign of rain.
 Atwater looked for an opening in the l hedge, but did not find any. In the | rear there was fence bounding both | and, getting on top of 1t, I he passed the hedge. He was very | much rattled. The girl was perfectly | .oOl. She talked about her flowers as though there was no other subject in 9tstence. But presently she invited AARa to inspect some that were in the house, and they passed in together. Then and there they began the speech where they had left of in the language # flowers.
 Mr. Atwater has long been mar led man, but he found, he fondly be- ieyes, that he attracted the attention if his wife and won her love by h&v- ng declared his own in flower words.
 The Retort Direct.
 'See here" cried the artist who had
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