The Meeker herald., 1914-02-14
a GARDEN
ROMANCE
Tho Grand Lady and the
TiIler Of the Soil
y ssanAaO saA,ssaD.

~ DoUNAUO DWAtW8WOs
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Filling the soil was one Of Earl
Bentiy's hobbies. A gentleman tilles
this young man might have been call
I'd. though the style In which be was
dressed on this particular morning
while working In his garden was no
fanciful AFFAIR.
A faded coat, corduroy trousers,
earth stained canvas legginss and an
old broad brimmed hat composed his
attire. Between his teeth he held
short brierwood pipe. 30 epsrossed
was he in his work that be did not
hear the sound on the drive In front Of
tie house nor the light football on the
gravel walk.
When he glanced up At Last he was
startled to see q young woman but .
few fest away. She wore q pretty
costume and huge picture hat Bent
". however. saw only the calm. beaud-
fnl facs.
.she looks like q queen" was bis
thought a. be arose and lifted his hat.
whist are thessl' she asked. indi-
eating the pretty buds with her taper
ing finger.
Beatty described tho variety Of the
rose. .It = = very rare specimen" b
ADDED.
Break me Oh several. please
Bsntiy deity served half 4 dozen
punches and handed them to her. She
thanked him and moved away. Bently
took out his handkerchief and mopped
his brow.
s'wsll, II this Isn't puszle! Shall
follow hsr again and speak to herf
ghs seems to BE- perfectly at home and
b regard ne, CAD, - the earth under
kse fest. must and some way to ask
this magnificent young person what
her business u here"
His perplexity was dispelled for
time By the lady looking over her
shoulder and calling softly, "Will you
come here d momentr'
Bently was soon at her sids.
what IN the name Of that beautiful
rna9' she asked. Indeed. that rose
tie pride OF his garden-was q splen.
IA specimen which Bently had watch
q unfold In the dollhouse. and only Z
short tima before he had oversssn It
txanaplanted in the garden Two beau.
t1ful blooms were ON the stalk. He
tetA her il name.
ssCtip ~ ~ q rose. please"
~ neticsd Bsntly's hssifatioa and
slsaass sxprsssion and sah. II sup.
ps6a you know am Mis- Blaneyf
Ths name still left Bently decidedly
h IL dark. but hs clipped 4 rose and
presented It to her. with bow.
.lfiss Blaney. everything In this gar
dsn u yours" he said CALAMITY.
II am glad you are aware Of It." she
replied ~ she pinned on the rose. II
thought you doubted my right"
mot In the least" he said. "Your
visit u too much Of an honor With
your permission I will show you
through the garden. Perhaps there In
something else you would fancy"
His intended irony was lost on his
fair visitor. She allowed him to walk
By her side like a pet spaniel or cat.
NOT troubling herself to speak further.
Beatty pointed out and asked her to
accept some of his most beautiful spec
isssns. but every time she refused.
In short time they had finished the
hspsction Of the garden. and. looking
up. she said. would you like to re-
main here. or have you other arrange
mentsr'
Bentiy looked At her In surprise.
.sWell-I-certainlyl would like 10 rs-
main-that il. II you have no ob3sc-
ion.~ he said. with mocking smile.
Miss Blaney replied rather musingly:
tNo, 1 do not think ] could Do bet
tsc.-
Bently bowed low.
" would like this question settled ut
ouce." she said. "Ars you willing to
enga&sT'
The humor Of 1t all began to appear
10 Bently.
.But. Miss Blaney.'' he said. ut 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 ! am a woman. -
sAs replied quickly. "for you will nnd
that l am good business woman.
can assure you. Your salary will be
according to your service and NO
nses.r Then she added less emphati-
caily. but try to please me and you
WIN ind we will have NO occasion to
quarrel over your compensation
Miss Bianey and Bentiy were now
walking toward the house. Looking
at her watch. she said: Il 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. Il
think we shall agree"
Carelessly nodding r. him. she moved