Hyder weekly herald., 1932-12-10
Conspirators F TT ------ Bv ISABEL WooDMAN WATT
GO by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
 (WNU Service)

dener. He was Mrs. Damon's nephew, who she had heard her Aunt Lily say was handsome as Greek goa. Strange. in all her visits to Middle valley. that this was the only time their visits had coincided; and or course 1t would happen when Aunt Lily and Mrs. Damon weren't on speaking terms.
 Linda glided back and forth In the new hammock, pretending to read. Hes handsomer than any old Greek god" she was thinking. And the only attractive man I've seen in the yalley!" What right had neighbors to quarrel over a paltry boundary line? She ought, out of loyalty, she supposed, carry on the feud. Well, even that might be an opening.
 "What right have you digging up my aunt's iris?" she demanded. And then before he could reply, "Tell your mistress that iris does not belong to her"
 My mistress l" Matthew Damon grinned, settling back on his heels and appraising the intruder. "So you think I work here. Well. l do, 1t ap- pears. Aunt Sara finds plenty of odd jobs for me. But as for the iris, why don't you go tell your mistress to make her old iris stay on her side of the line?"
 My mistress !" Linda flushed scar let. You needn't think think you think I'm a hired girl! You know perfectly we'll who am."
 Sure l do. You're Linda Deering, spitfire niece of spitfire aunt"
 "Why you! Why you! It wasn't Aunt Lily who began this fight. It was your own busybody aunt. tearing up Aunt Lily's beautiful iris!"
 Just as I'm doing now," he said cooliy trowling under an enormous clump.
 Linda ran for the house. A moment and she was back, trowel and water ing pot in hand. Every plant you've torn up goes back" she announced firmly, and proceeded to carry out her threat. Furiously she transplanted what he furiousiy uprooted.
 Challenging eyes met challenging eyes, blue to black. The black ones, Linda saw. were laughing at her. "I've heard of folks who couldn't make their eyes behave, but you folks cant even make your garden iris be- have. See that that crooked row you're sticking in my aunt's lawn doesn't run all over the place"
 "Oh, dear! It is crooked, isn't it?" Linda mopped her brow with soil. streaked palm. "Whew! this is hot work"
 I've had about enough of it my self. What say we quit and take a cool spin? Meet me round the corner in ten minutes, so our aunts won't see"
 Blue eyes smiled at black. "Okay," whispered Linda.
 Middle valley wasn't going to be so deadly dull after all, Linda decided. Only she and Matt would have to be careful. If his aunt ever found out well, the old cat might disinherit him. Nor did she wish to curry disfayor with Aunt Lily.
 Accordingly, Matt and Linda insult cd each other openly over the long row of Siberian iris between the two places, which extended day by day. even down the back yard. too-Matt digging it up, Linda planting it back. This could not go on forever. but it served for many a date during the next two weeks. They drove Matt's roadster to a nearby pond and went swimming together. summing them- selves on a sandy strip of beach. AL ready they had reached the point where each knew the other was be- loved.
 "H'mph!" grunted Aunt Lily, sur veying the iris border with satisfac- ton, the next morning. "Reckon Sara Damon1l know when she's licked. She and that upstart nephew of hers"
 Linda blushed guiltily. "Oh, Matt isn't so bad"
 Matt! Got to calling him Matt, have you? H'mph '"
 That afternoon Matt Damon's car took the mountain road. Linda, see how peaceful it looks down in the valley"
 q think it's lovely, Matt. And to H. lit