Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-11-02

Drawing the spring shower, bending
ever her flower beds, clad in a woolly
gray coat and Hopping gray felt hat
that hid a probably gray head.
'She is certainly a dear old thing"
thought Paul, bit tenderly perhaps.
"She will catch her death in this rain
rheumatism will cripple her busy
little feet-what IL she trying to dor
He was. passing the place now and the
Gray Lady, with her back to him, was
struggling with some tender seedlings
beaten down By the heavy drops.
"Hslpl" shrisked his Gray Lady.
"Hiram-Dan-" Her voice was
drowned in 4 rush and splashing Of
water. Paul was not waiting for the
tardy hsnchmen, Hiram and Dan, to
appear. He turned back and ran up
the garden walk, to pick up a half
drowned little woman. A bursted COP
per leader pipe from the roof was
pouring out a small cataract of water,
drowning the young plants.
please take me into the house."
said his burden family. and when Paul
reached a side entrance there was an
excited stirring Of several servants.
A strong armed maid received the drip
ping mistress and bore her out Of
sight, and a very pompous butler eyed
him suspiciously.
Better send some one to mend that
leak" remarked the dazed hero, as he
went out to pick up his umbrella and
brief case
"Hawl" calculated the butler, as he
closed the door gently.
Later, at his office, Paul found his
papers wet and damaged to some sx-
tent but with the aid Of Ais secretary,
they were rscopied. and 50 at night
he was able to carry them home once
more for psrusal. 1t had stopped rain
ing and the sun was drawing out the
fragrance from every growing thing.
even from the earth itself.
He wondered II the Gray Lady had
recovered from her fright and would
Be working among the flowers. He
pondsred the propristy Of calling there
and inquirins about her health. This
Matter was decided for him.
When he reached the hedge the
pompous butler painted down the path
toward him.
"Ow, sir" puffsd the man.
"Are you calling mer' asked Paul.
"Yss. sir; II yeu please, sir, Miss
Little wished to know II you would bs
- kind as to step inside a moment.
It's about the matter Of the water
pipe, sir" he explained loftily
VERY WELL" said Paul briefly, and
followed the man around to the front
entrance Of the low, widespreading
house. In few moments he was bow
ing before pretty, slender, dark-eysd
girl, who sat near 4 tea table. She
arose and held cut 4 little bronzsd
hand.
II hope you dent mind my sending
Harking after you. Mr."
"Darrow," he supplied. taking ths
sun-kissed hand. II hope yo'i mothAr,
or perhaps 1t is your aunt. has not
suffered any Ill e6scts from the ahowAr
this morning"
"My-motherl My sunt7 All, no,
indeed, Mr.. Darrow; they are quite
well; in fact, they are both enjoying q
week or two at Lakewood. I wanted
to thank you for your kind help this
morning. My poor little seedlings
were quite drowned, poor thingA" She
had turned to the table and was pouy-
Ing him 4 cup Of tea.
II have been istarestsd in your gar
den ever since have Nved In Mn.
vivian's house." remarked Paul, a. he
drank tea and etc the delicious cakes
she offered, "or II It your grandmoth.
sf's garden, Miss Lttlef'
She opened wide her eyes. He was
thrilled to notice they were big and
brown and leng-lashsd. my grand
mothsrr she repeated brsathlessly
1T used to be my srandmothsr's gar
den-I call 1t mine now"
II am afraid have quite fallen In
love with the little old lady whs trips
about among the flowers" he laughed
shyly q he put Ms empty cup ON the
table. II have seen her in all wealth
srA and I have built up some pretty
romancss about her. While the snow
WAS still on the ground she was brush
Ing It away and pssring for the hrst
cfocus"
Little old lAAy-what little old
lady?" she asked for her mother and
aunt were tall. seatsly women.
THE little LADY in sxay-I call her
the Gray Lady," Paul was smbar
rasssd now.
Suddenly Miss Little laughed de-
lightfully; she dimpled and blushed to
the roots Of her soft dark hair. "Why,
Mr.. Darrow, how amudngl There II
Ne little old lady excepting myself"
Your
"Yeu have been deceived by the old
gray things I wear around. Mother
and auntie are quits scandalizsd by
my appearance. but they are dear old
rags. 1t was my Life you saved from
the food this morning. and your visions
Of rheumatism"
"Helpl" choksd Paul feebly.
Have another cup Of tea and then
you may come out and see my garden"
she smiled gracieusly.
They did walk IN the garden, Paul
and h{c Grov Au hint vrvoc afu,nat