Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-02-10

Cupid Busy in Beth's
Garden
By CLARISSA MAcKIE


OF COURSE the old Mordaunt
" place had garden. Beth re-
membered coming there years ago
with her mother, before Uncle Jaffrey
died. The flowers were so marvellous
and the gardens so NEEDLESS that they
appeared almost unnatural to the
young girl and her mother, who lived
In small cottage near by.
When Uncle Jaffrey died Beth and
her mother found that his beautiful
property had been left to them-but
there was not money enough to keep
1t going. Every year Mrs. Mordaunt
divided the tiny income so that there
was just enough to live on carefully,
and nothing was ever left for the gar
den. People whispered that there
must have been more money, for
Uncle Jaffrey was very rich, and grew
quite misery in the last year of his
life, and they declared that some
where about the old place he had hid
den either one large sum or many
smaller ones.
One day a good-looking man came
to the door. Mrs. Mordaunt met him
and greeted him pleasantly.
'Mr. Smith, who said he was your
lawyer, suggested that I come and see
you about clearing up your garden
and lawns in return for my board" he
told her frankly. II had pneumonia
In the late winter and really need
light outdoor work to keep me out
slde-regular farm work is too vigor-
ous--I am studying medicine at Blank
university, and I cannot AFFORD to
spend money for vacation" Then
his pleasant voice grew wistful as he
scanned the delightful old neglected
garden. at would be wonderful op-
portunlty for me-" he added, "but you
may have other plans"
Mrs. Mordaunt did not hesitate. "If
Mr.. Smith sent 20 here, you are GER
tainly welcome-my daughter and l
were just discussing the needs of the
garden" Then she introduced Bruce
Wayne to Beth and went to the house
to select a room for him.
Mother" said Beth one August
morning.. Everything is so beautiful
do come out and witness the cleaning
out Of the large fountain. Bruce is
going to do that next"
Bruce whipped Off his old hat and
grinned affectionately at the woman
who had been so kind to him for sew
eral months. He had brought a deep
wicker chair from the front veranda,
and soon Mrs. Mordaunt was comfort.
ably settled and watching the young
couple, who worked together so har-
moniously. She was wondering
whether her daughter, Beth, cared al
all for the embryo doctor, whose
heart was in his fine eyes whenever
he glanced at the lovely girl. There
was no doubt that Bruce Wayne hat
lost his heart to her gentle Beth, and
she sighed little as they worked sc
happily together, because she was
thinking about the lack of money and
the years they would have to wait.
Bruce had large hammer and was
prying off the fitted boards of the
tent-like protection. "Hurrah," he
shouted when the last section had
been removed and the rusty, stained
proportions of the fountain were re-
vealed.
"Are you going to paint the foun-
tain, Bruce?" asked Beth's mother.
ut should be painted, don't you
think, Mrs. Mordaunt2" And then,
bending over the deep basin he lifted
out dry and rusty steel box. "Why,
what the dickens do you suppose this
can BET" he queried. Buried treas
ure" He set 1t at Mrs. Mordaunt's
feet.
"Oh, Bruce, smash 1t open," begged
Beth. perhaps that is where poor
Uncle Mordaunt hid his money!
few blows of the stout hammer
opened the rusty box. Inside of that
was huge rubber pocket which held
the missing wealth Of Uncle Mordaunt.
They sent Bruce for Mr.. Smith, and,
during his absence, Beth confessed
to her mother that she and Bruce
loved each other and tina. he had
asked her to marry him. "And want
to, mother darling" sobbed the girl,
"even II we are quite poor at first
You understand, don't your"
Mrs. Mordaunt nodded happily, and
then the two men appeared and Mr..
Smith checked up the contents of the
old box. 1.-THE missing securities"
he said. "YOu see there was about
hundred thousand missing-and here
It isI'
Bruce Wayne looked very glum.
After the lawyer had left, Beth's
mother said to him:
swell. Bruce, aren't you happy over
our good luck"
"Oh, yes, Mrs. MOrdaunt-of course.
0nly-you see-well, Pm so poor
and Beth's rich girl now"
"But, Bruce" said Mrs. Mordaunt,
smiling understandIngIy, "the moneys
really part yours-yOu found It." And
she went off to the house.
Bruce turned stammerlngly to Beth.
Don't you see, dear" she said, III
you hadn't come into my garden we
might never have found that money.
SO II is part yours-it's ours"
And so when Bruce left her garden
Beth had promised to walt for him to
finish his training, and he had prom
lsed to start out his professional and
married career In the old Mordaunt
home.