Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1893-12-15


they were, too, for the widow and
Judge Berkeley hated each other with
a hatred that was vigorous and mutual
and there was nothing on earth that
would have induced either of them to
be behind the other in anything if it
could be helped by infinite pains and
labor and meditation.
TO have the earliest and the latest
roses, to pick ripe awberries first, to
transplant tomato vines soonest, the
widow or her venerable neighbor
would have sacrificed almost anything
that they possessed.
1t was a curious rivalry, but it did no
harm, gaveemployment to two deserv-
ing men, who, as gardeners, fully APP
preciated the situation and chuclled
over it to each other across the fence
when they were sure their employers
were not looking,
The quarrel between these two old
people dated back to long before the
death of the lumenled Samuel Dodge,
but his relict had kept up the side of
her departed spouse with faithfulness
and interest.
1t is not likely that either Judge
Berkeley or Mrs. Dodge could have
told the cause of the difficulty with
great de6niteness, but each was de-
termined to preserve the family honor
at the cost of whatever might be-
Now, these two people had each one
child-Mrs. Dodge daughter and Mr..
Berkeley son.
What wonder that the two Young
people were lonesome or that they
should have met more than once behind
the arbor in the Dodge garden when
they were sure Mamma Dodge was
miles away and Papa Berkeley was
locked in his study studying assiduous-
ly horticultural books with "a view to
triumphs over the Widow Dodge.
Little Miss lillian Dodge was pretty
and bright and demure.
Arthur X. Berkeley was recently
graduated from college, played tennis
in flannel suit and picked banjo on
the wide veranda.
1t was through the banjo that they
got acquainted, although, being abso-
lutely forbidden to know each other,
they would probably have met some
other way if not as they did.
Miss Dodge had been playing on the
piano, Her windows were open, fol
Ehe evening was warm, and the sound
of an air from Mendelssohn came softly
on the evening breeze to the young
mans ear as he sat on the wide YER
anda smoking lazily and thinking o.
nothing in particular except the lone
illness of the place and the ill-luct
that tied him to it,
lie was not much of musician, ant
he did not know the air, but he liked it
Presently, after the music haC
stopped he went in and got his banjo
and tried softly, to reproduce the par
that most attracted him. He could mo-
quite catch it, though
He hoped she would play it over, bu
she did not although he waited unit
the lights went out in the Dodg,
household.
The next evening the Widow Dodg,
drove away in her carriage and Mr.
Berkeley, the elder, shut himself up il
his study, Nh
The young man walked bravely owe,
and spoke to Miss Dodge through tn,
open window. He asked her to pla,
the air for him, aud he had to get hi
banjo to show her what it was h,
wanted.
These things did not take long, The,
met often after that, at first by acct
dent, then by open design.
When he told her that he loved he
she put her pretty head down on hi
big chest quite contentedly, and the,
proved their love by the widest vow
Of undying faith and devotion.
At first they were quite happy, think
Ing and talking Of their love; but on
day, quite naturally enough, Arthu
spoke of their marriage 1t happene
in this wise:
Lillian was gathering basketful @
flowers down in the garden behind tn
arbor. and Arthur strolled down o
his side and cautiously leaned over ~
fence,