The Press., 1911-07-05
SPRING LOVE Not In HerOics. but aS lt
 Really Occurred
 By F. A. Mitchell
By F. A. Mitchell
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 young mans fancy turns to love he girl becomes frivolous.
 The Buddingtons on May 1 moved into one of block of houses fronting on a small park. Grace Buddington watched from second story front window the delicate spring leaves come out on the trees under the warm sum- shine. Whether her heart budded at the same time is not known, but an in- cIdent occurred that burst a blossom of mischief into full blown flower.
 Grace had caught a glimpse of a young man who lived next door. He was nineteen or twenty, while she was seventeen and half, being very par dcular that the half should be put on when her age was mentioned. The fact of this gentleman, who was very good looking, who wore buff gaiters over his boots, whose clothes were cut by the correctest pattern and whose white cuffs always protruded exactly two inches below his sleeves-I say, the fact of his being a next door neighbor excited a profound interest in the young lady's heart. They were to live, no one knew how long, side by side. They might become bosom friends, pos sibly like brother and sister, possibly lovers. This "may be" is decidedly pleasanter to contemplate than might have been." The first is the bud, the last the decaying flower. Oh, blessed age when there are no sad memories!
 Nevertheless youth is peculiar. One would suppose that, harboring such rainbow fancies, Miss Buddington would act in way calculated to bring them about; that she would look for ward to a conventional meeting with her neighbor which would grow into frlendliness and from friendliness ex- pand in some one of the channels that had been dug for it by her imagination. She did the very opposite.
 While she was watching the nurses fin the park halting their baby car riages for a brief bit of chat, the fountain sparkle in the sun, while she listened to the chirp of birds and a distant confused noise of many ve- hicles on street beyond, the door of the next house opened, and the young gentleman of whom she was dream ing came out on the stoop. His boots, a stickpin in his neckwear and his silk hat all glistened in the sun. He stood swinging his cane in his hand, looking out on the pleasant scene be- fore him evidently very well satisfied with himself. Then, noticing that not quite enough of his cuffs showed be- low his sleeves, he adjusted first one and then the other But in doing so he noticed a spot on his right cuff and, taking out a snowy cambric hand kerchief, endeavored to obliterate 1t.
 During all this time Miss Budding ton was watching him from the win dow some dozen feet above him and two or three feet to one side. While he was endeavoring to remove the spot from his cuff she disappeared for few moments and when she re- turned held in her hand a pitcher of water. Extending her arm, she held the pitcher directly over the reflected streak of sunlight crossing the top of his silk hat.
 But she refrained. Whether this was on account of bangs of conscience or a desire to enjoy the situation by prolonging the climax or from dread of making an enemy instead of a friend of her immaculate neighbor there is no record. The sensation was certainly delicious. But the most del- icately favored wine must be swal- lowed at last, and presently, tipping the pitcher, she poured stream down on her unsuspecting neighbor.
 When MT. Tippler-that was the young mans name, T. Pemberton Tip pler-felt the water resounding as on a drumhead upon the top of his hat and splattering fountain-like all over him his first impulse was to stand from under, the second to look up to see whence 1t came. He was too late to see more than the pitcher and shapely wrist disappearing within the window. But he had before seen the young lady who had recently come to live next door and was especially got up with view to disporting him. self that she might see and admire him. Love scorned turns to hate. MT. Tippler having come out to be admired and having been treated, as he considered it, cOntemptuously, he was quite sure, by the girl next door. he swore great oath of revenge.
 A few days later MT. Tippler while walking home saw Miss Buddington coming from the other direction. He 0~r o%n nS1v RoI1 h Rc suddenly slowed up. He looked to the right and to the left and up at the sky. The stoops of their respective homes were side by side or, rather, there was but one stoop with a stone division. At first MT. Tippler wished to meet Miss Buddington at the bottom of the steps that he might show his supreme indifference to her by turning his back upon her. Then he was afraid he would meet her. He took out his hand kerchief and blew his nose. He car ried silk umbrella in his hand and while trying to walk with dignity trip ped on it. His hat fell ln front of him, and he stepped on 1t. Grace Budding ton, who at that moment turned to ascend the steps, giggled
 MT. Tippler was boiling with rage.
 After that whenever MT. Tippler caught sight of Miss Buddington ap- preaching him he made a strenuous effort to appear unconcerned. The way he did 1t was first to pnn down his cuffs. Next he would adjust his neck. wear. After that his handkerchief came out and he blew his nose. Final ly when he passed her his face would be as red as turkey cock.
 As for Miss Buddington, when she saw MT. Tippler coming she would proceed on her way with the utmost composure. On passing the gentleman the only sign of embarrassment she showed was putting her palm to her back hair, but this should not be count ed as embarrassment, for all women do that.
 Meanwhile the courtship was pro-