The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-10-13

foliage OF the erer<resr vas fot ali
practical purposes irnoenefrnbis :. \
granite. cverbesd waa tho tfns sky. T
aud the breeze was weighted With the I
odors Of uncoutea millions % bios
SONS
whist delicious pfaceir Thought /
Lettic0. The big outside world was I
no longer IN evidence.
In this peaceful. almost philosophi- !
cal, frame OF mind. Lettice turned a !
corner and came face to face with a |
young man. And the encounter was |
sufficient TO work an immediate |
She swayed against the wsll OF ever
green as IL about TO fall.
"Jacki" she murmured family.
"Letticei" cried the young man, and
his tones were rapturous.
AS he advanced with outstretched
hands Lettice DIRE wherself up. A sud
den amazing dignity radiated from her
slight figure. An expression of ex-
treme hauteur replaced her previous
look of agitation.
81 beg your pardon" said Lettice,
gazing at some indefinite object over
the young mans head. I'm afraid
you misunderstood Ine."
The young mann light have replied
that the break in her voice and her
sudden psllor were sufficient excuses
for the indiscretion into which he had
been betrayed. He did nothing of the
kind, however. He only stood and
looked at her as If, even at her haugh-
test, the sight OF her rejoiced his
eyes.
eff you will kindly let me pass"
continued Lettuce, and the young man
obligingly fattened himself against
the wall of foliage. But owing to the
narrowness of the path her arm
brushed his sleeve as she swept by,
| and something in the contact weak
ened her resolution. She felt the tears
rushing to her eyes an dher knees
wer unsteady.
Suddenly she decided that she hated
mazes and all that pertained to them.
She would hurry back to the hotel
and lie down for a few moments be-
fore the coaching party. She was alb
surdly nervous and unstrung.
Lettice quickened her pace. She
walked with a rapidity that brought
the color to her cheeks and rendered
her breathless. She was rejecting
lowed the winding path so far, when
she again found herself face to face
with the young man whom s hehad
met 10 minutes before.
On this occasion, however, she did
not cry "Jacki" nor give similar in
dications of weakness. She drew back
and looked him over with an al d.
vided between surprise and contempt
"If you will allow me to say So"
Lettuce began. II should hardly ex-
pect you to take advantage OF the
situation to dog my footsteps in this
way"
| -
So" returned Jack, with more spirit
than ne had evidenced on the previous
occasion, 1T is like your customary
injustice to accuse me of such a thing.
So far from logging you. l am only
| interested in getting out Of this
wretched place"
Perhaps you will allow me to pass,
then" said Lettuce with great dignity.
Certainly" Jack replied. Again he
fiattened himself against the ever
green and again Lettuce swept past
him.
Your customary injustice," What
a disagreeable phrase ii was, and yet
perhaps not undeservedl She had con-
demned him unheard. Possibly OF she
had given him a chance to explain.
the past two years would not have
been so difficult and sad.
Lettuce gave way suddenly to the
| luxury of self-piety, and the binding
tears ran down her cheeks.
Half an hour later a young man,
flushed and frowning, came face to
| face with a yonug woman who held
her handkerchief to her eyes. Both
stood still. The only break in the
silence was little muffied sob. and
at the sound the young mans face
contracted, as If he were in pain.
=. 1.twe a.
tice! Why are yo ucrying3'
1t was a moment before & stifled
voice REPLIED: Because can't find
/ my way out"
''Is that ALP This time the silence
was longer than before. lis that ALP
Jack hesitated. Tell me, dear"
Moo" The uncertain syllable was
so faint that Jack bent his head to be
sure. Then he put his hand gently
over the girls trembling fingers.
Dearest, you wouldn't give me a
chance OF set myself right with you.
My letters came back unopened. J
went to see you, and you had left for
Europe the day before. You wouldn't
listen"
Lettice looked up at him. Through
her tears something bright and beau
tiful looked out, like the sunshine
sitting through the raindrops.
"I1l listen now" she said.
1t was some time before the desiraS
bility of leaving the maze occurred to
either. and then they could not agree
as to the direction in which the exit
lay. Lettuce, however, was sweetly
submissive.
1--WE had my own way long enough .
she said. Nov I'll follow you wher-
ever you choose otake me-"
A few minutes later they walked
into circular space, where bench
stood back against the hedge. The
two looked at each other.
We've got to the CENTER" Lettuce
cried happily. And now we're far
Their fro mgetting out than ever" She
regarded the bench with approving