The Meeker herald., 1914-11-21
GARDEN
ROMANCE
The Grand Lady and the
TiIer Of the Soil.
sy BERNARD sRA,nEso.

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Tilling the soil was one Of Earl
Bently's hobbies. A gentleman tiller
this young man might have been call
cd, though the style In which he was
dressed ON this particular morning
while working In his garden was no
fanciful affair.
A faded coat. corduroy trousers.
earth stained canvas legglngs and an
old broad brimmed hat composed his
attire. Between his teeth he held a
short brieFwood pipe. 80 engrossed
was be in his work that he did not
hear the sound on the drive in front Of
the house nor the light football on the
gravel walk.
When he glanced up at last he was
startled to sec young woman but 4
few feet away. She wore pretty
costume and huge picture hat. Bent
", however, SaW only the calm, beauti-
ful face.
sShs looks like q queen" was his
thought as he arose and lifted his hat.
"what are thesef" she asked, lndi-
eating the pretty buds with her taper
Ing finger.
Bentiy described the variety Of the
rose. "It Il very rare specimen" he
added.
Break me Oh several, please"
Bsntly deftly served half q dozen
punches and handed them to her. She
thanked him and moved away. Bently
took out his handkerchief and mopped
his brow.
"Well. II this Isn't puzzle! Shall !
follow her again and speak to her!
She seems to be perfectly at home and
10 regard me. CAD, ~ the earth under
her feet. must nnd some way to ask
this magnificent young person what
her business u here"
His perplexity was dispeHed for
time BY the lady looking over her
shoulder and calling softly, "Will you
come here momentr'
Bsntly was soon at her side.
what ID the name Of that beautiful
rose?" she asked Indeed. that rose
the pride Of bis garden-waB a splen-
did specimen which Bently had watch
I'd unfold In the hothouse. and only a
short time before be had overseen 1t
transplanted In the garden. Two beau.
ttful blooms were ON the stalk. He
told her it, name.
aCiip ne OF 4 rose. please"
shs noticed Bsntly's hesitation and
strange expression and said. II sup
pese roc know am Niss Blaneyr"
Ths name stIIl Ieft Bentiy decidedly
n, ~. DART, bat hs clipped . rose and
psusentsd It to her. with bow.
.lGias Blaney, everything In this gar
dan h yours" he said CALAMITY.
Il am glad you are aware OF It" she
replied al. ahss plnnsd on the rose. II
thought you dodbted my right"
"Not In the least" he said. "Your
visit Il too much Of an honor. With
your permission will show You
through the garden. Perhaps there Ia
something else you would fancy"
His intended irony was lost on his
fair visitor. She allowed him to walk
By hef side like pet spaniel or cat,
not troubling herself to speak further.
Bently pointed out and asked her to
accept some Of his most beautiful spec
linens. but every hme she refused.
In short time they had finished the
inspection Of the garden, and, looking
up, she said. would you like to re-
main here. or have you other arrange
mentsr'
Bently looked at her in surprise.
'Well-I-certainly I would like to re-
main-that Is. II you have no objec-
ton" he said. with q mocking smile.
Miss Blaney replied rather musingly:
tsr."
Bentiy bowed low.
~ would like this question settled at
once" she said. "Are you willing to
sngage7"
The humor of IT ali began to appear
10 Bentiy.
-But. Miss Blaney." he said. .it Is
my duty to warn you that am very
high priced parsonage"
II do not think you can take the ad-
vantage Of me because l am a woman
she replied quickly, "for you will find
that am a good business woman.
1 can assure you. Your salary will be
according to your service and no
more" Then she added less empbati
cally. .But try to please me and you
win dnd we will have no occasion to
quarrel over your compensation"
Miss Blaney and Bently were now
walking toward the house. Looking
at her watch. she said: II shall not
have time to 60 into the house today.
Thank You for showing me through
the garden" Then quite pleasantly.
what II your namer'
"My name IL Bently," he replied.
Good day. Bently." she said. 81
think we shall agree"
Carelessly nodding to him, she moved
on I'm the direction Of her carriage. The
footman alighted and opened the door.
and Bently watched her drive away.