The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-10-16
STRATAGEM
BY MILDRED WHITE.

hedge and frowned. 1t was old Mrs.
Brodie's fault he knew-this alOOfness
upon the part of his new and charming
neighbor. She had been gracious when
he had gone over soon after her ar
-ival, to return kitten which had
gtrayed into his garden. And so exactly
did this young neighbor visualize the
'lady of his Dreams" that Jack had
fallen in love at first sight. If he had
been at all skeptical concerning this
fact, time had proven him to be right.
The girls piquant face constantly
haunted him. His first morning glance
was cast toward the easement window,
and his last waking thought at night,
was of her winsome self. The return
Of the kitten was followed by a gen
erous bouquet from his garden.
"a bachelors garden" he told her,
informingly.
The girl was pleased.
Perhaps, she suggested, Mr.
Trowbridge would be kind enough to
instruct her in planting of like gar
den; she wanted to live among a riot
of flowers. There was only herself
and Martha-a sort of companion
housekeeper," she added and Jack
went home full of blissful anticipa-
ton.
1t would be a joy to teach this
lovely one the mysteries of gardening,
delightful excuse also to linger at
her side and learn more of the char
acter which attracted him. All the
happiness of dreams come true" was
promised.
Beautiful girls he had known, and
worthy, but not one, who was not
swiftly forgotten. The new neighbOr
with her wistful eyes alone refused to
be erased from memory-while each
| and every thought of her brought a
hopeful thrill.
| The two had become friendly com
panions, laughing and chatting across
the hedge which divided the old house
from Jacks new bungalow, when Mrs.
BrOdfe called upon the girl and drop
ped her condemning remark.
"Of course" she said, Jack Trow-
bridge can't help but have a big head,
when every girl who comes to this
| town makes a direct set for him."
The new nelghbor flushed indg-
nantly at the implication. She, at least,
determined to be beyond that suspi-
cion. Hence the later coldness, which
caused Jacks discontinue.
No studied advance, no courteous at
tention upon his part altered the
aloofness of the girls manner. His
calls at her house were promptly dis
ouraged-politely it is true, but dis
couraged, Enthusiastically. The happy
friendliness was gone. The beautiful
dreams of a lifetime threatened to be
but dreams, after all.
Jack sayagely trampled the flowers
in his garden as he strobe to and fro
AS n final excuse for a visit, he art
fully captured the kitten as it came
through the hedge, and carried it back
to its owner.
The owner thanked him briefly, with
out even the hope of a smile. She was
not looking over-joyful herself, Jacl
reflected. Her eyes seemed piteousl!
startled as he forced her gaze.
"That fool Brodie woman he NUT
tered, as he retraced his steps.
The next day when Jack returned
from business in his car, he alighteC
with difficulty at the gateway.
From thence, his little neighbor
watching through her porch vines
saw him totter unsteadily with TIL
help of a crutch up his own gardei
path. His leg hung limp and one shoe
less foot was heavily swathed in band
ages. Jacks cOld-hearted neighbo
looked for the evening light in tn
bungalow window, but none was forth
coming. Jacks housekeeper-so Mrs
Brodie told her-had gone home 70
a short vacation, Jack having mad
arrangements to stay in the city dur
ing her absence.
1t was evident that he had met wit
an accident, and had been obliged I
come back Unexpectedly to his empt
home. Hours passed.
"Why," reflected the troubled hea
peering through opposite curtains
did not Jack use his telephone TO ca
for assistance? Assuredly he had er
tered the house, and assuredly he mus
be there in darkness. Not a glimps
of light showed and the blinds wer
up. Neglected, the car still waited /
the roadway Could it be possible tina
he had tainted from pain?"
The now thoroughly anxious neigh
Dor called Martha, and sent her acros
the garden to make inquiry.
"Mr. Trowbridge is lying on
couch" the woman brought back il
formation. HE says he is sufferin;
but that there is nothing / can do"
"What nonsense!" the girl cried in
patiently, "for him to lie there aIon
will have to go over myself"
Jack opened his appealing eyes
she turned on his sitting room ligf
and stood reflected in the doorway.
The girls charming face softene'
at sight of his bolstered bandage
limb.
''You are hurt" she murmured. "Of
Jack, is there anything that can do