The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1922-03-21
GOLDEN HEART


teSy always que new nelkhoVfS
'sNot when they are rank trespassersl !
Just look at your pansy-bed, Mumsy,
darllng-and then at our new neigh
Dor actually petting the brute Of a
raiderT
Before gentle Mrs. Marcy could
frame further remonstrance Nancy
darted out the garden gate. "fll
teach him he cannot add insult to
injury" she flung back over her
shoulder.
At any other time, Nancy would
have admired the new bungalow.
Now she saw only the offending
canine, and the man, whose indiffer-
ence to her approach added the match
to her smouldering wrath.
THAT beast deserves the whip in
stead Of caressl" she fiared. He
has a whole skin this instant simply
because Mumsy Darling's middle
name Is Forbearance. And that,
mind you, after he had ruined the
pride Of her garden-Heartseas Cor
ner, she delighted to call iti'
Nancy waited dramatically.
Instead Of the anticipated apology
came a tantalizing drawl: Really,
did Rob Roy do all thatf"
Nancy caught her breath. "Ohi"
Couldn't you see him do it?'
The amused smile faded from the
boyish lips. mot very well. Miss
Spitfire. l cannot see you now"
Nancy caught her breath sharply.
"Oh" she gasped In swift contrition,
how rude-how cruel you must think
ma"
"Not at all"--he was smiling again.
You didn't know"
There was q moments strained ST.
lence. Then the true Nancy, warm
hearted and lmpulsive. advanced to
the veranda steps
I'VE are your nearest neighbors,
Mumsy Darling. Teddy Boy and
with roguish emphasis-"Miss Spitfire.
Teddy Boy is lots Of fun and Mumsy
Darling bakes the most delicious
mocha cake every Saturday. Mem-m-
m-today is Friday-you wont have
long to walt About tomorrow be
prepared to receive Teddy Boy with
generous helping Of said mocha cake.
A little peace Offering for my rude
Introduction she concluded with her
irresistible laugh.
II say, but It's jolly good of you"
his ssrnestness thrilled Nancy. Draw
ing a small whistle from his pocket
he blew two short blasts. Almost
instantly, II seemed, a smiling little
jap glided from the bungalow. Here,
Mr.. Ray"
"Yetsu," ordered his master, "cut
the very choicest Of those roses Mr..
Jack says are such beauties" He
turned again to Nancy: ''Yetsu is a
flower magician. It's characteristic Of
his race learned when we toured the
Orient / had my sight then, and the
memories stored up are like luminous
bits Of fsiryland in the present dark
nees.
She infused an added blithesomeness
into her own voice. Boston and New
York comprise my itinerary to date,
but l often make dream journeys to
far distant lands-always in cherry
blossom time to Japan"
His sensitive fingers traced the vel
vety petals until convinced Of their
worthiness. "A little peace Offering
for Rob Roy's rude introduction"
Nancy laughed merrily at his clever
mimicry.
Then, as she stepped nearer to take
the roses, she felt sudden tightening
Of her throat.
He looked even younger than from
the walk-scarcely nineteen. And
what at first sight she had dubbed a
SISSY" wave covered a deep scar
extending across his forehead.
Fearing her silent pity might be
misconstrued. Nancy hastened to say
enthusiastically "Such perfect speci-
mems Of the Queen Of Flowersl"
"You are too goodl" His buoyancy
matched her own. when Brother
Jack comes out tomorrow I'll get him
to coach me in my new role-a most
grateful neighbor."
Wonderful days followed; wonderful
for Nancy-for the blind boy-and for
the man whom sorrow and response
bility had made cruelty old beyond
his years.
1t wa his first glimpse Of Nancy
that restored John Kenlston's most
cherished Ideals The memory of il
transformed his daily Office grind as
If by magic Even the factory's giant
dynamos sounded rhythmical.
But though time sped on golden In
stead Of leaden wings, John waxed Inn
patient.
And then, In the purple dusk of a
rare autumn day, John sought Nancy.
Ray made me blissfully happy to-
day." he began boyishly. "He said he
had told you Of the accident. and you
understood my mental torture. God
knows the machine, not |, was at fault I!
Even so, the youngsters very cheer
fulness seemed a reprOach, until kind
fate sent us among you and yours"
Ia