The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1932-09-30
Conspirators
By ISABEL wooDMAN WATT
90 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
lWNU servicel

beside the Siberian iris was no gar
dener. He was Mrs. Damon's nephew,
who she had heard her Aunt Lily say
was handsome as Greek god.
Strange, In all her visits to Middle
valley. that this was the only time
their visits had coincided; and OF
course It 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
valley I" 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 aunts irls?" she demanded. And
then before he could reply, "Tell your
mistress that iris does not belong to
her"
my mistress |" Matthew Damon
grinned. settling back on his heels
and appraising the intruder. $50 you
think work here. Well, do, 1t ap-
pears Aunt Sara finds plenty Of odd
jobs for me. But as for the iris. why
don't you 60 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 grill You know
perfectly well who l am"
"Sure LIDO. You're Linda Deering,
spitfire niece Of spitfre aunt"
"Why you'll Why youl 1t wasn't
Aunt Lily who began this fight. 1t was
your own busybody aunt. tearing up
Aunt Lily's beautiful iris"
"Just as I'm doing now" he said
coolly 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 furiously uprooted.
Challenging eyes met challenging
eyes, blue to black. The black ones,
Linda saw, were laughing at her
"Tve heard of folks who couldn't
make their eyes behave, but you folks
can't 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, dearl It is crooked, isn't itT'
Linda mopped her brow with SOIL
streaked palm. "Whewl this Is hot
work"
I've had about enough of 1t 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. II his aunt ever found out
well, the old cat might disinherit him.
Nor did she wish to curry disfavor
with Aunt Lily.
Accordingly, Matt and Linda insult
ed 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 1t up, Linda planting it back
This could not go on forever, but ii
served for many a date during the
next two weeks. They drove Mats
roadster to nearby pond and went
swimming together, summing them.
selves on sandy strip Of beach. AL
ready they had reached the point
where each knew the other was be-
loved.
'Hmphl' grunted Aunt Lily, sur.
veying the iris border with satisfac.
tion. the next morning. Reckon Sara
Damon'll 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'mphi"
That afternoon Matt Damon's car
took the mountain road. Linda, see
how peaceful 1t looks down In the
valley"
Il think It's lovely, Matt And to
think our own aunts hate each 9th.
er! just can't go on pretending to
hate you, Matt. I'm going to tell
Aunt Lily"
what, Linda? That you love me
and I love your That we intend to
get married this fall, and they car
keep their old money and iris and
feud?'
Well, back they went, striking
while the iron was hot, first Aunt Lily
and then Aunt Sara. Then they took
the pond road for nice cool swim
Both aunts had been too stunned with
the suddenness Of the news to do more
than gasp. The love birds flew out
before they could say a word
Behind her ruffled curtain Lily
Deering watched them drive away
She took the huge bouquet of iris
from the center of the dining table
and trotted across to her neighbor's
back door.
"Ain't they beautiful Thanks
LILY; I've missed 1t SO. Say, you've
heard the news?" beamed Mrs. Da.
mon.
Just now. That's why run In
Amt 1t just wonderful, Sara-the