Life — October 1, 1903 — page 3: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

COPYRINT FOR GREAT BRITAIN BY JAMES HEXOERSON UNDER THE ACT OF 1891, ‘LIFE: Marcus Is Left Alone With the Tree-Agent. I. T HE treeagent wore a long gray oeard. He had gentle, deprecating eyes and a voice of honey. Constantia never left Marcus alone with him. It was sometimes inconven- ient for her to be present at the exercises. But whatever occupation engaged her when the tree-agent was announced, she forsook it and hastened to the study. The conferences were held in the study. When she appeared in the doorway, with Annabel in her arms, a momentary gloom came over the tree-agent’s face. He drove it conscientiously away, chirruped engagingly to Annabel, and unstrapped a fresh box of colored plates. “Now, this is an entirely new variety. It has abundance of foliage, beginning to put forth early in April and continuing to late December. The blossom"—he laid four straight fingers instructively on the gorgeous plate—“the blossom is remarkable for its profusion and its size. Large—yellow—full- flowered.” Each word was a liquid drop. Marcus gazed at the plate, a pleased look in his eyes. So did Annabel. “How high does it grow?” inquired Con- stantia, with gentle craft. The tree-agent stole a look at Marcus. He was absorbed in the picture. “In height, it varie," he spoke sooth- ingly. “If you wish a high growth, they will reach five, six, even seven feet.” The hand holding the plate ascended graciously a foot at a time. Marcus's eyes followed it trustfully. “On the other hand,” the plate descended to his knee, “if you wish a lower growth, they can be kept down by trimming. The foliage then becomes luxuriant, and forms a mass of green, rich and attractive to the eye.” His hands closed in carefully upon the clipping of a low hedge and expanded in a rich growth of green. Annabel, who had hitched across the floor, laid cooing hands on the plate. It was res- cued hurriedly by Constantia, and Annabel was brought back to the safety of the chim- ney-seat, Marcus’s eyes were fixed dreamily on the window. “We had been thinking of some- thing for the veranda,” he said slowly. The tree-agent’s countenance shifted quickly from hedge-plants to climbers. The yellow plate was thrust carelessly into its box and a new set produced. He selected one, a look of affection lighting up his gentle eyes as they lingered on it. “Now, in climbers there is nothing finer than this little desiocalcium—the leaves, pointed and spikelike, forming a screen or canopy,—the stem graceful but of great strength, throwing out tentacles for sup- port——” “It blossoms, I suppose,” suggested Con- stantia. The tree-agent paused a forbearing second. the scattered plates, assist the agent to his “The blossom is a delicate scarlet, with a rim of yellow, small, but profuse, and very attractive to the eye. The odor is remarkably delicate and penetrating——" “We had thought that we should like Something without blossoms,” said Constantia. ‘I have never seen anything like this,” interposed Marcus quickly. His hand reached out for the plate. “The Shipmans have it on their side ver- anda. Don't you remember?” interpolated Constantia. “Oh,—That!” His hand dropped. The agent slid hopefully into the pause. “Of nonblossoming climbers this is a most beautiful variety.” He produced a gorgeous solid-green plate. “In this climber you have——” His voice meandered softly on. Marcus listened politely. As a poet, he was en- tranced by the flow of language. It exercised a soothing influence on his imagination. As a property owner, he was inclined to belief in the pictures it spread before his mind's eye. This was a dangerous moment. It was recognized as dangerous by Constantia. But experience had taught her that her presence was sufficient protection. She had only to wait till the critical moment when Marcus —no longer a responsible being—should begin to gather himself together. Then with a swift turn of common sense, she would pierce the shining bubble, gather up The Gorham Company Silversmiths and Goldsmiths Broadway at 19th Street NEW YORK WEDDING || Toe corHAm co.’s SILVER everywhere recognized for their artistic individuality. school of design every piece has the advantage of expert supervision, and bears the impress of originality and productions are invariably distinguished by superior craftsmanship, and are In conducting their own constant care for finish in every detail. comicbooks.com