The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-09-05
ONLY A GARDENER.

are the DerIcctlon Oh neltneSs, tnlS one
is in all the disarray and abandonment
of art.
Two Young girl-students are resting
after their days work-resting, each
after hcr own manner. 10 one, Cert
rude Trevclyan. the word implied
utter repose; she, therefore, leaned
back her rcgal-looking head in COM
Portable old chair, rs with half-closed
eyes. the words dropped listlessly from
her coral lips. But to Esther Forbes,
rest was merely something less labori-
Gus. and seated on the hearth-rug, by
The titful glimmer of tire-light, she
glanced over daily paper, Ito CLEAN"
rs she said. "a little news for grand
father at supper-time.
"Oh. Gertie!' she cried. ..listen to
this: The Art Decorative Company is
offering three prizes-tirst, second, and
third class-fUc the best design for
screen decorations. 1t is to be a
yearly competition How j should
like to compete for one of the prizes"
And should not /? Let US CON-
mcnce tomorrow. And so saying,
Gertrude sat upright in her chair, and
opened wide her great dark eyes.
How delightful 'twould be-" said
she, .'to awake some morning and find
oneself famous-to read in para
graph, Miss Gertrude Trevelyan has
obtained the first prize and gold
medal for the most original design"
IL shall be content with the second"
replied Esther; .'for that fifty pounds
is just what | shall want next sum-
mcr."
"And what do you want so much
money for, child?"
"Ah, Gcrtie! were as rich as you, i,
too. might work for fame; but you re-
member how my dear old grandfather
suffered from last summers heat, and
yet refused TO take from our little in
come the sum requisite for two
months soiourn by the sea. II l
could put this into his hand, and say,
Let us 90. dear grandpa, like two
happy pilgrims and enjoy Old Oceans
breezes, oh, how proud / should bel"
The girls were not relatives, but
only neighbors, and the home of each
was in that pleasant art-suburb Of Lon
don that has grown up of recent years
about that Cockney's paradise, Hamp-
stead Heath.
But as Mrs. Trevelyan disliked the
litter and untidiness of an artists
room, Gertrude frequently came and
worked" Us she called it, in her
friends studio.
Esther did not name her aspirations
to her grandfather, but she lay awake
many long hour. thinking out that
proposed design.
The next morning, she found note
from her friend-she would be absent
for o few days, as her mother had
made some engagements for them
both-and very glad was Esther to be
alone with her unrealized thoughts.
In the visions of the night, sister
art, Poesy, had come to her aid. and
the subject chosen was from Hood 8
idyllic poem, The Plea of the Mid
summer Fairies" where the little elves
are entreating the pity Of remorssess
Time.
She designed it rapidly, and ere
long the picture told its own story.
The old Mower could not be intro
duced-he would have demanded too
much space-brt one hand, portions OF
his grey, colorless raiment, and his
scythe, to which clung fresh grass,
were visible. And rs Hood describes
it;
"a shady and sequestered scene,
Like those famed gardens Of Boccaccio-'
So the fairies were in half-shadow
and in various attitudes-some kneel'
ing imploringly, some bowed down
with grief. others-'the loyal fays"-
surrounding their queen. as though tC
protect her, while a few had, in de-
spair, cast themselves upon the grouno
among the flowers,
One, that seemed TO have stepped
out from that bosky LEAKAGE to plead
with "the dread King of years. point
cd to q group of lilies in the pictures
centre, upon which fell a broad ray o
| moonlight-as, with their stems folded
in their large green leaves, those pale
pure lilies stood serene amid that desc
iation-and symbolic of the lines Estl
er had selected rs her mottoi
aAnd she that purifes the light.
The virgin Lily, faithful to her white.
Whereon Eve wept in Eden for b"
| shame"
"But must have some real lilies!
exclaimed Esther. .'Tis the most i'm
portant part of the picture"
And away she went to florists, th'
most extensive in the entire neighbor
hood, and where she was well known
But he had not even one, and de
clared, at that season, they could no
be procured.
''You might see some at Mr.. Mont
calm's of Oakleigh House. Mis-
Forbes" said Mrs. Jourdain, the flor
lists wife; ..for they have fine con
servatory. and first-class gardener at
tends to it. You will find him quite I
gentleman, and he will allow you t
draw from anything you like"
Esther further learned that Mr.. ant
Mrs, Montcalm had lately returned
from the South of France, and that th'
lady was SO fond of plants and flower
that he spared no expense to CRAFTY
her taste ...-.
The next morning, armed with he
sketch-book and portable color-box
she set forth, but could only ride
portion of the distance, for the way la
through lanes and roads leading II
various residences. -.a
But at length Qakleigh House wa
reached, and there the great gates 81
appalled, poor Esther that, but for tn
hope of gaining that prize, she woult
have retreated In dismay.
In few days Gertrude again visitet
the studio, but this time to watch he
friends progress only, having aban
doned her OWE attempt
ut is exquisite!" said she, after
careful survey. "But you have not re
lated your interview, further than tn
door Of the conservatory was opened
then you broke off tc show me tn
picture"
81 had to wait so long. and feare'
the gardener would never come, so
found my way to the lilies alone. But
Gertie, have fallen in love with tina
gardener! Aud as I don't know hi
name, I mentally call him 'Claud
Melnotte.'"
.In love with gardener, childp
hope noti But pray sketch for me !
words this paragon OF Adam s calling,
i HE Is probably between twenty-hv
and thirty. Not exactly handsome
but good face. expressive of great II
telligence; pleasant-indeed, melt
dious voice; and ho has certainly som
artistic taste, for when apparentl
wondering Mt my lily-craze. d.
scribed the design. he then made fe'
valuable suggestions. And he CAV
me such basketful of ferns an
flowers and greencry-sending 1t her