Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-06
OVER THE GARDEN WALL.

am tired of grubbing along in shabby gentlity,
tired of plain fare, mean clothes, thick boots.
and short pockets. Pom my soul. If this sort OF
life continues much longer, j shall get tired of
my existence"
Nonsense. Beryl! You are the most con-
tented among u.s. Poor papa declares you are
the light and life of the old home, which, for all
its poverty, is happy one, because we love one
another"
"Old home, you call it. Why, we have not
been here five years. 1t takes as many centu-
ries to make home"
This villa makes but poor husk even. By
the by, Laurie, how can we raise the wind to
get BERTHE new suit? IT'S all very well for
the dear lad to pretend he likes to show his
linen, but am sure he was ashamed Of his
short sleeves at church on Sunday. Pity he
can't wear bracelets. Talking of church re-
minds NE, Laura, you must not make eyes at
the curate. l admit he is no end Of nice fell
low. but he Is poor, and we must marry money
for the sake of BERTHE and the dad"
1T does not strike me we shall marry at all
as We are placed, Beryl. The men we would
marry are above US, and the men who would
marry US we are above. So between two stools
we are likely to come to grief Pass me the
string, these beans are getting top heavy. ]
hope it will be as fine as this tomorrow since
we must go to this picnic given by papas en-
plOyers. If l had my will, instead of going
with our best bibs and our fuckers we would go
In rags to reproach them for the wretched salary
they give the dear old dad
you forget, dear that papa began at the
wrong end of his life. The work he could I'M
dertake might be done by boy of eighteen. so
it would not be fair if he were to be paid above
his abilities, and / think it very kind of Mr.
Brace to invite u.s."
"What weak mortal you are, Laurie. How
is your lace progressing? Mrs. King said she was
sure she could sell it for you. What is there for
the dads dinner? Cold meat Oh, I'll go and
mince it for him. BERTHE said he would not be
home till ten tonight, so It's no use prowling
for HIM"
As the young girl tip-toed to nail bean ten
drill to the top ofthe high wall that divided their
garden from another a young fellow with a
sunburned. jolly face laid aside his pipe and
said to himself.
''Wbat a jolly voice that girl has. and what a
lot of mercenary mischief she has been talking.
wonder if | can get peep at her! If her face
matches her voice, she ought to be worth look
ing at"
Truly she was a comely little creature, with
her pretty, plump shape, sunshny gray eyes.
and curly flaxen hair Her features were far
from fautless, but her complexion was pure,
and she had such merry look one forgot to be
critical. Her sister was more lovely. PERHAPS
but could not be more lOvable; her calm. Ma
donna beauty had twilight charm beside the
morning glow of her sisters less perfect but
brighter looks.
"A plump little partridge. and looks sweet
tempered. | must scrape acquaintance through
my friend the curate. 1t will help to pass the
time while those lawyers are settling my bust
ness. which l don't believe they will do till /
have given them the last siX-and- eight pence
possess. Tommy, you must go to church. my
lad; tO-morrows Sunday And who knows but
the rosy beauty in the holland frock may not
invite you over the garden wall before the week
is out"
'Allow me to Introduce my friend. Mr. Con-
roy. to you, Miss Stewart. He is near neighboT
of yours
Laurie bowed Beryl was tagging behind for
Bertie She came up in time to see sunburnt
face from which pair of wicked brown eyes
twlnkled, and to hear manly voice declare one
was bound. If he would be Chrstanike, to love
ones neighbOr as himself Then she was intro
her, she was grateful to think the muslin frOck
she wore was in its first crispness.
MIR. ConrOy seemed more taken with hand
some BERTHE than his sister, for he fell be hlnd
with that youth, and disgorged his reeking
brain of all the sea anecdotes he knew that
promised to grow stale through silence. BERTHE
was fiattercd by such notice from q man who
seemed to be hero, since he had sailed sc
many years on the adventurous sea. Sc
charmed indeed was the lad that the drowsy
afternoon found him sitting on the high wal
that divided the gardens, on the chance of see
ing his interesting friend.
Mr. Stevens, the curate. looked in after
church. in that quiet evening hour which is
music's own. Mr. Stevens was hearty. ugly
young athlete. very unlike the usual run OF
earnest fol
was Felix Stevens, whose manhood was crowned
by manliness. He had clever, plain face, and
the most persuasive tongue imaginable.
The man who has a tongue, say, is no man
Ii with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
Had Felix felt certain some day in the prom
Use of the future; the face of Laurie shone in 9
dear domestic world that lived only in his hopes
There was much pleasant chat carried on that
night over the garden wall and Mr.. Stewart. a
weary. wan-looking old man, listened to the
hum Of the young voices and dreamed Of his
lost youth, and the gentle wife who made ii
happy
Weeks rolled on, and the young people be.
came very friendly. Then dawned the long
loOked-for day of the picnic. The girls were uu
betimes. hurrying over their morning tasks
Tom discovered his divinity shaking mats in the
garden. with duster on her fiaXen head and
her sleeves tucked away from her pretty rounded
arms.
She nodded to him merely. saying:
''Ah, you won't know me presently. IT'S q
clear case of Cinderella"
She blushed with pleasure when her friend
gingerly lowered basket over the wall con-
tanning heap Of choice flowers and two pairs
of tempting seyen-buttOned gloves.
81 really think it is wrong to accept them ~
| said the delighted girl, ''but we want them SO
badly really think we must take them and
| confess ourselves awfully indebted to you for
such pretty present"
6 should be awfully hurt If you would not
| accept such simple, friendly Offering as that
Miss Beryl."
'Of course you would 80 should !. if had
| to refuse such seasonable gifts. Shake hands,
Mr.. COnroy, and believe me awfully grateful
viii you notice if any one calls, if you are at
home?'
"Yes, and more than that; if you will leave
| the back door Unmatched I'll tumble over about
| six and set light to the fire. SO that Mr. Stew
art may not be defrauded OF his tea by the gaety
of his daughters
| "Well, now, that is good Of you; for, to tel
| the truth, his tea has weighed on my mind, be-
| ca use be comes home SO tired"
Tom was on the watch to see the sisters de-
part IN their crisp cambria dresses and big white
bonnets. Two prettier girls never were seen
such stylish little ladies, too, and SO full o.
| healthy, high spirits.
Mr.. Stevens, who was to escort them, said tt
| his friend as he left him Il wish you were go
| ing, too. Tom"