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Show j BARRING OUT JIM i i - i I Dy MOLLIE MATH EH ! : u n ny, liu.t. Wis. trill wii;i pT Lni'Hi.J II'' AC. N'T MAKT1IA bad lived In olden old-en I lines she would have built u jlone wall around her possessions. And Maria, whom she had adopted at her iiMer's dealh, In .Maria's Infancy, was iillowcd no measure of liberty. For rtas not .Maria, by reason of gratitude, lier own property? In spite of jealous exaction Marta rev to young niiianbood a sunny reature, dutiful as well, and with a circle of friends whom she was permitted per-mitted too seldom to see. Love appeared to be out of the question, ques-tion, for Aunt Martha saw to It that each ambition In this direction was lillghted. The selfish person Intended, In her helpless old age, to be repaid 111 Martii's undivided care for that protection pro-tection which she had given the jrphaiied child. Jim Weston of the city happening to be one slimmer In the vicinity of Maria Miller's home, saw her, and was at once Interested. Marta was In the guarded garden. She wore a pink frock her cheeks as pink as the muslin, mus-lin, and her eyes glancing suddenly toward to-ward the stranger had the blue of the Slimmer sky. "I am a stranger In town," said Jim, "and am desirous of tak-lng back with me to the city some of your choice roses. I have a mother who Is especially fond of roses; It is asking a great deal, I know, hut I have seen none like yours, and wonder If you might he persuaded to sell nie a few?" Marta hesitated. "I will ask my aunt," she said, and ran toward the house. Uninvited, Jim entered the sequestered seques-tered garden. Seated on a bench he awaited the aunt's permission. But It was Aunt Martha herself who brought the answer. "You may have the roses, young man," she told him abruptly, and gave to Jim those of Marta's recent picking. In vain he endeuvored to enter en-ter into conversation which might give excuse to linger until the possible coming com-ing of a young woman who wore a pink frock. Meaningly Aunt Martha held open the gate In the hedge, and grimly grim-ly accepted her recompense. The Jovial lawyer of Marta's home village, who was entertaining at his home Jim Weston, son of his old-time friend, pulled on his pipe reflectively when Jim, disposing his roses In water, asked Information concerning the young woman who had culled them. "And who's that queer old dragon who hides her?" asked Jim. Lawyer Cullen laughed. "You've hit the right expression when you say 'hide,' Jim. A good many young men in this town have tried to pass Martha Miller's barrier to seek acquaintance with her fair charge. All have failed. Don't let your fancy strny Into that rose garden, Jim ; It leads hut to disappointment." "My boy," Mr. Cullen told him, "when your business trip here is over you'd better hie hack to other fair and possible maidens." "There is only one maiden In the world," Jim declared, and went to get a rose of Marta's picking to place In his coat. And at this moment Marta herself was looking across the green hedge of the garden, up the street and down the street, and the blue eye were wondering and wistful. The austere Miss Miller was tending her flower beds when Jim again came ' to town ; his absence had been brief. When that woman glanced up from her task she noticed that the former agreeable agree-able stranger walked at a young woman's wom-an's side. An astonishing pretty young woman, who. at his word of greeting to Aunt Martha advanced to the hedge with a request to Admire at close range the flowers of the garden. "You were kind enough to sell some .roses to Mr. Weston when he was here before," said this pretty young woman. "And his mother was so pleased. All the flowers that Ji:n buys, you must know, are either f tu- his mother or for me." The intruder flushed and looked adoringly up at her escort.. Miss Miller hesitated. "Married?" she questioned brusquely. "No-o," the young woman's tone was hesitant. "But we he " She floundered floun-dered confusedly. "I mean to be married as soon as I can persuade my lady to have me," Jim smilingly explained. "We are visiting at Lawyer Gallon's now. Susane this is Susane, Miss Miller, has been awny at school with Mr. Cull en's daughter." Martha Miller smiled welcome. The . smile quite transformed her. "I will call my niece to show you the garden," she said. She knows Mina Cullen." Marta spent a happy unshackled hour. Miss Miller was not averse to having her niece make an insignificant third to a betrothal party so she referred re-ferred to the outings which the three took thereafter. "We want to tell you," Jim remarked one evening as the three sat near the green hedge "that Marta and I will expect ex-pect you to live on with us, after we are married. Of course you shall keep this place to come to as often as you wish. Aunt Martha." "Married you and Marta?" the words tumbled; "but it is Miss Susane whom you are engaged to." "I," innocently remarked Susane, "am Jim's sister." "I had to storm your citadel, Aunt Martha." explained Jim "all's fair iu love and war, you know." The transforming smile came slowly. "Well, I guess there won't be any more war," said Martha Miller. |