| Show ONE MANT MANS mm HOBBY by SUSAN E CLAGETT copyright iriv by the INIc mcclure Clure news paper syndicate elizabeth yeaton laughed as sha walked around the beech tree and exl the markings on its trunk two hearts pierced by an arrow a and d encircled by the legend panales tor for thoughts noughts rosemary to for r remembrance t B were we ever so foolish as that she lie asked herself thel then the laugh died in a sigh as she walked on pushing her way through the tangle ot of I 1 ragweed that obstructed her path below her cebin cabin branch rippled with a soft murmur everywhere were mem orles orlea and mingling with them ss soft clear whistle once so familiar a sound it occasioned no surprise when she ie reached the farm gate to see a man ina n stretching out a band hanato to open it 1 I thought you would come he said quietly the years have made madeno arno c lange hange in you you are not one day older der your eyes a are re sparkling and your our me mouth uth has the same adorable ado rabla kink ink aith at the e corners that he came through the gate and stood bes beside ida her you received my let leti ter no did you write then I 1 owe my good I 1 uck luck to providence I 1 asked you to meet me here but I 1 had hoped for a different reception elizabeth wont you give me a w word ord of welcome 1 I have first to forget years ofia of absence and silence she said slowly she smiled at him with unconcerned eyes what bhae coif you been doing all the years you have forgotten friends and country working hard bard I 1 wanted a home when 1 I needed recreation I 1 cultivated flowers you should see my garden that would indeed be pleasant and your wife she asked courteously you are still an adept at fencing elizabeth he interrupted are we to continue the same old game 1 I do not understand we are too old to play pussy wants a corner and hide bide and seek those are the only games I 1 remember perhaps I 1 will recall others later on she said it will be pleasant to rummage among old memories he laughed shortly but at present tJ I 1 am interested in knowing when you received my W wedding edding cards they never reached me but a home suggests a wife it not necessarily the purchase was the result of a settled purpose may I 1 trespass upon your hospitality for the first simein time in years I 1 can treat myself to a short vacation you are most welcome she replied cordially you have been badly missed thank you your voice then held its first note of friendliness I 1 was beginning to feet feel homesick elizabeth will you let me give you lessons in gardening during my stay sh she threw back her head and laughed heartily it would ba wasted effort plants never thrive for me so I 1 leave the borders uncle linw 1 4 perhaps yo you u have never tried hard enough I 1 want to io talk and F I 1 ana aio curious are you really as indifferent about that letter as you would have me believe 1 I had forgotten it arthen then I 1 presume ea groce the letter is so easily forgotten memory wll alu be at fault in regard ta to several things I 1 have hav been hoping yn would her ber 1 I r remembered you she replied pleasantly ten years is long toi to keep one in mind especially VE especially specially when one tries hard to be forgot ten she brushed the litter from her dress dresa there was a finality in tha movement that made him stretch out a detaining hand dont go it is very pleasant here bera even it if I 1 am disappointed in the warmth of my greeting and I 1 do so wish to tel t ell lyou you of my garden she shook her head even as sho sha paused 1 I am afraid you ride an old mans hobby bobby come to the hoube and tell me id in the firelight the air la is getting frosty ino no I 1 must bellit tell it here he hesitated a barely perceptible instant it la is a hobby dear you should see my beds of and rosemary the color flared inisher Ini into oher her face you yolk had prepare prepared d me tor for a garden ot of orchids but even old fashioned flowers can be an outlet tor for surplus energy you always did throw yourself body and soul sou linto into whatever you undertook to do why not elizabeth thirds okli is monday I 1 must be in my office thursday morning Impo important business requires my attention else L would remain here and begin at the beginning of 0 thin hangs gs ten years Is a long time but you have never been absent from my thoughts I 1 would have written out but there ther ewas was nothing to say I 1 had bad nothing to io offer you the best I 1 could do was to work for a home tor for you it has taken me ten years willylu will Wil lyou you accept it will you go back with me m wednesday her eyes swept the fields she paused so long that the man beside her caught his bis breath and grasped the rall rail of the gate until hla hid knuckles showed white then theil she iho turned to him it will be a delight to see those old oia fashioned flower borders dho ahe qaid simply |
