The log cabin Democrat., 1916-05-12
THE PEAFOWL By KEITH KENYON.

 tate of the Cullens, at East Orange.
 Miss Cullen was within the gates feeding handful of grain to pair of peacocks that were spreading their tail feathers for her admiration. Miss Cullen was no less lovely than the peacocks and quite as vain.
 q wonder" Conrad said, raising his of any sort on the estate. I am anx- ious to get a position in the country for a few months"
 The girl within the gates cut him short with a naughty stare.
 We are not in the habit of employ ing tramps. Only people well recom- mended need apply for work" She turned away, as if the interview was over.
 But I do not happen to be tramp. I am a stranger looking for light em- ployment, having lost my energy in the city, and desiring to find it again. I am sorry to have troubled you"
 There is a lot of work on the place extra work-on account of spring planting planting from the con- servatories-roses and shrubbery. Are you familiar with such work?"
 T have done nothing beyond anna teur flower cultivation, but, being a lover of such work, have had great success at it."
 Miss Cullens eyes were appraising him from head to foot, disparagement in her glance.
 Conrad added quickly: But I sup pose, I have sufficient intelligence to look. after your roses, and if you hap pen to have an orchid house."
 "Orchids!" she exclaimed and new light came into her eyes. "I 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 'I spent year down in South America, where they abound"
 It turned out that Conrad's familiar sition on the estate. He was delight ed when he found that he might oc cupy 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 stiie. 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 it." 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 t!G 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 typewriter The easement was open and through it she saw her new gardener seated at the machine and so intent upon his work that he did not even raise his eyes as she stood before him at the window.
 "Conrad!' she spoke firmly.
 Hello! Who is it?" He rose quick ly and in a moment was by her side. You want me for something Miss Cullen?" he asked deferentially
 Only to say that since the spring work is about over 1 shan't need you any more,' she said constrainedly. f There was silence for a moment
 I'm glad" Conrad said then, with evident relief in his tone, T had planned to tell you that I must re. turn to the city in the morning"
 Greatly to her discontinue, his prompt acquiescence irritated Barbara That anyone should be so resigned tc 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 if you have bettered your position?" she said, with perfectly audible sniff.
 Yes" admitted Conrad briskly. q 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 pub. fisher a year ago. 1 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 satis. fled achievement. His eyes were fairly a-glitter.
 "So," Barbara flashed angrily, that is it You simply have been using me as medium to further your own self.