The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-21
THE KINGS GARDEN.

Dolly stood and watched the old yell
low Millville bus drive out under the
naples, through the big gate and off
down the road back toward town. Then
she turned and stole softly up to the sit
ting room, where the stranger was rest
ing on the lounge. Dolly thought she
never had seen any one with such
white face and such black, very black
hair. It was very thin, tired face, but
yet it was such kind face, Dolly thought.
By-and-by he dropped asleep, and Dolly
went away.
Next morning Dolly ran singing out
on the cool porch where the morning.
glories grew, to gather dainty boquet
for the breakfast table, but stopped sud
denly in the doorway, for there sat the
strange young man in the big willow
rocker.
"Come here, little maid," he said, and
his voice was very kind and deep. "Are
you Dolly?"
"Yes, sir" answered Dolly, going up
and putting her dimpled hand in his big,
outstretched one, and not feeling very
much afraid of him after all; "Tm
Dolly"
And don't you think, when mamma
came to say that breakfast was ready, she
was actually up in the big chair beside
him and learning to love him.
He had told her all about his older
sister at their home in the city, and about
her canary bird pets, and that he had
come out into TIE country to try and
get we'll again. ,ut the Millville doctor
looked verygr when he came out to
see him, and ID long talk with Mrs.
Martin before he went away.
AS the days went by, Dolly learned
every day to love the kind face and voice,
and they had long talks together that
reached down to the very depths of her
child nature.
They were out in the blossomy garden
one morning, the Mr.. Will had been talk
ing about the beautiful gardens of Heav-
en- and of the master who walks there.
"I wonder if we'll ever find each other
in the gardens, Mr.. Will? They must be
so very large"
The man looked down into the childs
face, flushed and earnest.
dolly" he answered, 1--WE can all find,
the gardens of the King; and, little one
we can have Kings garden in our own
hearts"
Dolly looked up at him with wide,
wondering eyes.
"How, Mr.. WHIP"
Suppose, Dolly, that every time you
are cross and impatient weed should
grow in your heart, and every time you
grow angry and cry little nettle should
spring up for every tear drop"
ooh, dearp came a muffled voice from
the red face hidden suddenly in Dolly's
apron. 81 didn't mean to be cross this
morning.
sand suppose that every time you
smile beautiful lily should blossom, and
when you are kind and thoughtful Of
mammals comforts, a host of bright pansy
faces should smile, and when you carry a
cup of cold water to thirsty old ma
there should bubble up beautiful spring
to run off among the flowers, tipping and
dancing"
Dolly was looking up into the young
mans face now, and 8 he went on, her
eyes grew dim and solemn.
sand by-and-by, when your garden is
all fair and sweet, the King will walk in
it every morning, and, at his touch, the
weeds will wither and the blossoms gro W
brighter, little bird named Joy will be-
gin to sing, and only you can hear his
song"
would the King come into my gar
den?" asked Dolly in an awed voice..
dolly" the mans voice was very rev.
erent and tender. "He has come into
mine"
Then she drew long breath, and,
looking back in after-years, she could
see that the thought shaped all her after
life 4"