The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-13
THE PEAFOKL
BY KEITH KENYON.

Dexter Conrad approached the for
midable iron gates that were the en-
trance to Frogmore, the handsome es-
tate Of the Cullens, at East Orange.
Miss Cullen was within the gates
feeding q handful of grain to a pair
of peacocks that we're spreading their
tail feathers for her admiration. Miss
Cullen was no less lovely than the
peacocks and quite as vain.
Il wonder" Conrad said, raising his
hat respectfully. IF there is vacancy
OF any sort on the estate. ! am anx-
ious to get a position in the country
for a few months"
The girl within the gates cut him
short with naughty stare.
I'VE are not in the habit of employ
ing tramps. Only people well recon-
mended need apply for work" She
turned away. as IL the interview was
over.
But do not happen to be tramp.
I am a stranger looking for light en-
ployment, having lost my energy in
the city, and desiring to find it again.
| am sorry to have troubled you"
There is lot of work on the place
extra work-on account of spring
planting-transplanting from the con-
servatories-roses and shrubbery. Are
you familiar with such work."
Il have done nothing beyond anna
teur flower cultivation. but. being a
lover of such work, have had great
success at 1t"
Miss Cullen's eyes were appraising
him from head to foot, disparagement
in her glance.
Conrad added quickly: But / sup
pose, / have sufficient intelligence to
look after your roses. and IL you hap
pen to have an orchid house"
"Orchids!" she exclaimed and new
light came into her eyes. Il have
some rare ones that the head gardener
knows nothing whatever about. It's
breaking my heart-to see them fad
ing day by day"
Not doing well, eh?" he asked. Il
spent year down in South America,
where they abound"
It turned out that Conrads familiar
ity with orchids gained him po-
sition on the estate. He was delight
ed when he found that he might &C.
cdpy a small cottage adjoining the
plant houses.
From day to day Barbara kept her
eye on him. In fact. daily contact with
Conrad was teaching the mistress OF
Frogmore to forget that her new gar
dener was but a hireling. His opti-
mism and deep knowledge on many
subjects amazed her.
Thus he compelled her to listen to
a chord in her own heart which she
had striven for years to stifle. She
had been trying to live according to
convention and false ideals of happi-
ness.
One day she woke to the knowledge
that through what she regarded as
some strange perversity of her nature
she had fallen in love with her gar
dener.
THE horror of i'll" she gasped.
There followed a speedy return of
her old-time self-esteem. and she re-
solved to put an end to the disquiet-
ing thing without delay.
So, with the intention of burning
her bridges so that she might never
be tempted to cross them again, she
went swiftly down through the long
gardens toward Conrad's cottage. AS
she drew near. she heard the click
of q typewriter. The easement was
open and through 1t she saw her new
gardener seated at the machine and
80 intent upon his work that he did
not even raise his eyes as she stood
before him 1t the window.
Conrad" she spoke firmly.
'Hellol Who is it," He rose quick
ly and In Q moment was by her side.
you want me for something, Miss
CullenT" he asked deferentially.
Only to say that since the spring
work 10 about over shan't need you
any more" she said constrainedly.
There was silence for a moment.
I'm glad" Conrad said then, with
evident relief in his tone. Il had
planned to tell you that l must re-
turn to the city in the morning.
Greatly to her discontinue, his
prompt acQuiescence irritated Barbara.
That anyone should be SO resigned to
leave her service hurt her self-esteem
The loftiness of manner that had been
absent for several weeks returned i'm
mediately. Indeed! May l ask IL
you have bettered your position?" she
said. with . perfectly audible sniff.
YES" admitted Conrad briskly. Ct
have gained my end at last. See!" He
pointed to mass OF half sheets that
were scattered over the scant furni-
ture OF the cottage and some OF them
on the floor. That is the script of a
novel which was accepted by a pub
Usher q year ago. / couldn't get it
finished-for the pot had to boil, you
know-but there it isl" He threw out
his chest and breathed a sigh OF salts
fed achievement. His eyes were fairly
a-glitter
So" Barbara flashed angrily. that
is It! You simply have been using me
as a medium to further your own self
ish ends!"
Miss Culleni" he calculated,
amazed at her attitude. when have
] failed to give full value for favors
received?''
How should know you were other
than you seemed?"
I don't see that 1t matters"
We'll. have been treating you as
common servant. and no doubt you
have been criticising me for my-my
stupidity. And I'm awfully fond of
Won"