The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-13

SIR HUGH
ny EDITH GRAY.

/ when he came his credentials had been
good and that for ten years he had
served them faithfully and we'll He
had thwarted all attempts at CONVERSE
( ton concerning his former life and his
master had respected his secrets Yet
though Lloyd Coverly knew that the
gardener was superior to hts surround
inEs, he did not enshroud his past with
the glamour and mystery OF romance,
as the girl was wont TO do.
The little invalid wife. fraii and
sweet as the fragrant spray of hello
trope within her slender hand, spoke
conciusively one day from her favor
tie place before the Ere. You and !,
Aileen. KNOWN spite of Lloyd's stu
p'dity-that there was q woman once,
brave and sweet and true. and so our
Scotchnan Is gentleman and always
will be. His mask il clever, but so
me and good man could never quite
deceive. l wish that you would make
story Of Il, dear
The words occurred again to the
girl as she hurried, several days later.
along the bleak stretch OF wind-swept
road. and caused her to laugh a little
for sheer scorn OF her small art. A
story OF 1t. Why, who would dare TO
touch the fiawless Hugh Sir Hugh.
az she named him In her heart--and
spoil his tale with the bungiinx OF
mere words? She laughed again as
sne turned down the familiar path
toward the Greenhouse deeF-eryorrt,-
She found the man day. bending
low over box OF discarded cast
Always, the floral rubbish from the
house above. The narguerites were
untouched with stain, and to the girl
onaecustomed to prodisality the car
nations looked sweet and fresh, but
hugh passed by them all regardless.
ana the girl saw with surprise thar
ne was selecting one by one. the lily
of-the-valley sprays. all torn and
dropping though they were. Quite
inocently Aiieen stepped forward, and
felt traitor and ashamed to see
the secret OF Hugh's heart writ In the
pale, drawn face above his task,
hugh McDonnel would never have
unbent to any one, surely last of ALI
TO that person who might consciously
strive to gain his confidence, but as
ne turned and saw tho. outpouring of
MS hearts secret reflected In the ten
der eyes OF the girl before him, his
confidence rose up to meet her sym
pathy. Miss Aileen," he said. sim
ply, unemoarrassed, and at ease.
they were her flowers, my dear"
Her flowers! Oh. far-seeing, little
Mistress Invalidi The girls brain
swan, revolving at the bitterness, yet
even now her heart rejoiced in his
full confidence.
For Hugh. the gardener, the man
or work. the underling and servant.
told the strange story of his lowering
to the girl beside him And az he
talked the great Scotch house seemed
even now before her, the fields and
woods the hills and running streams.
the brother love betrayed,
You see" said Hugh. they thought
took the sum. All. well, thought
that she loved Jeff--a fine, bright
lad he was--I theught that she loved
jeff and 70 tovk zthe blame"
Then there We're quick footsteps
from without, and suddenly Hugh
stood. keen. erect, once more the
clever player. enacting hfs part. you
win forget he said. My sorrow
must not trouble you--promise. you
will forget
The girl looked UP into the anxious
face of the man above her. and
through her tears she smiled. II will
forget"
Il viii forget. A promise Is easy
to give, but as day followed day. the
story took more vital hold of the
girls deep sympathy. and time. in
stead Of celebrating 1t, scared 1t deep,