, 1918-11-14

entered. He walked right up to the
kitchen window, for there stood Mrs
Jones rolling the dough for breakfas,
biscuit.
"Good-morning, Mrs. JONES'" said
he. "T-e got such a jolly big cree
full of fish here that / don't know
what to do with them. There's nc
one over there"-nodding toward the
big white house-"but my h~ousekeep
er, and she's sick this morning; so I'm
wondering if you'll accept these?'
With the gallantry of a knight he held
out to her his creel.
"Oh, Mr.. Seldeni !" exclaimed the
good woman, a bit flustered, but smil-
ing with unmistakable appreciation
(Would the heavens fall next? When
had Mr.. Selden Howard last honored
her humble dwelling like this? Sure
ly not since his mother died, poor
soul.) "Acept them? Well, I just
guess I will And so Mrs. Patch is
! s,y -, Well. you'll just stay here to
breat.snst. 1871 h, -aady in fifteen
minutes" This was as much as How
ard had hoped for.
you're awfulIy kind, Mrs. Jones'"
he said, affecting surprise, "and-yes, /
believe I'll stay. I've a sick collie over
in the kennels-Tn go and look after
her, then I'll be back to accept your
hospitality"
When Katherine Hope entered the
HIn1nU fnnr, M. T~-N z.-
presented Mr.. Howard.
"How do you do. Mr.. Howard"
said she conventionally. with a smile
o little tired in spite of the play of
childish dimples. But Selden was
looking down admiringly on the fine,
white parting that separated the
braids of purest flax.
"And how dye like them, Mr.. Sci.
den?" asked Airs. Jones a bit later
referring TO the biscSit. ,
II love them" answered he-refer.
ring to the girls dimpIes.
OF course, that was only the begin
ming. After that, Selden Howard man
aged almost daily to meet Katheriae
at least, to catch a glimpse of
her. Her lovely, tired eyes, and little
quiet ways appealed to him m an in
finitely more sender and real fashion
than had those of many n pampered
whom he'd met in the sourse
ri his varied travels.
One morning katherine was read-
ng, ."The House of Mirth" out on the
'eranda. At least she was suppose d
o be reading it. In reality, she had
.losed the book, Keeping the page
with her sim fOsefinger. She
lad only two days more here in Coda
Teen earth, and the lifacS seemed t0 be
alling her imperatfFely- She had
cen Breathing In lEttess tn that extent
bat her thoughts ssHaned To be fairly \
eeDted with them. ElIiat once an i'm |
'uIse of yielding ca1rre' to- her. Why
n the world should SHE not step over
he low hedge and go iss0 the lilac
arden2
She did Bees hung: above the pur-
lie bloom, and a littl% attemIHted foun-
ain tinlSfed in the distanae.. OshI'it
sas altogether enchanting Just then
go1den-eyed sable cellfe,Game. leisure
down the curved wfslk, tn mert her.
"YCar beauty !" crieth thu girl exult-
nifty. STOPPING to put the digs queen.
head The collie,.. with slowly
wishing tafl, gently Kissed her behind
ear.
A commanding whistle, ffoms around
turn of the weik,. and then.
S8follte- Mollie, old; gail, where are
fo1P' Mollie sat withaone' enr up. the
Their down, as csllies- will when per
lexed- She loved her. mrster-but,
Ilso, she loved her r~new-fouad friendi
"Ahp" cried Seldom. coming upon
hem unexpectedly. "Bnt It is beauti.
nj to find you in my garden! !" he
'aid, looking gladly upon Katherine.
Do you know. last night / dreamed
were here. You are very, very
Welcome. little lady"
"You sea- she explained helplessly,
trying to hide her telltale bushes, at
was the filacs. They called me-"
Suddenly he took both her hands In
aud drew her toward the bushes. |
Dear hlacs," he whispered whimsi.
calNA "she Is here now-on enchant-
ed ground-and we must keep her.
lou belong to my garden" he added
masterfully, turning full upon Kath-
crime. land I will not let you go. The
house yonder is very lonely and watts
for you. Will you stay?"
Her answer? Well, she was q girl.
and very tired, and he was q man and,
strong-and it was sprIng-and they
were among the lilacsl