The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-02

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
la Dor and meditation.
To have the earliest and the latest
roses, to pick ripe Strawberries first, to
transplant tomato vines soonest, the
widow or her venerab BILE neigh Dor
would have sacrificed almost anything
that they possessed.
1t was curious rivalry, but it did no
harm, gave employment to two deserv-
ing men, who, as gardeners, fully ap-
preciated the situation and chuckled
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 lamented 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 defniteness. but each was de-
termined co preserve the family honor
at the cost of whatever might be-
Now, these two people had each one
child-Mrs. Dodge a daughter and Mr..
Berkeley a 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 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, for
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 of
nothing in particular except the lone
illness of the place and the ill-luck
that tied him to it.
He was not much of a musician, and
he did not know the air, but he liked it.
Presently, after the music had
stopped, he went in and got his banjo
and tried, softly, to reproduce the part
that most attracted him. He could not
quite catch it, though.
He hoped she would play it over. but
she did not, although he waited until
the lights went out in the Dodge
household.
The next evening the Widow Dodge
drove away in her carriage and Mr.
Berkeley, the elder, shut himself up in
his study.
The young man walked bravely over
and spoke to Miss Dodge through the
open window. He asked her to play
the air for him, and he had to get his
banjo to show her what it was he
wanted.
These things did not take long They
met often after that, at first by acci-
dent, then by open design.
When he told her that he loved her
she put her pretty head down on his
big chest quite contcntedly. and they
proved their love by the widest vows
of undying faith and devotion.
At first they were quite happy, think
ing and talking of their love: but one
day, quite naturally enough. Arthur
spoke Of their marriage. 1t happened
in this wise:
Lillian was gathering basketful OF
flowers down in the garden behind the
arbor, and Arthur strolled down on
his side and cautiously leaned over the
fence
May come over?" he asked
Lillian nodded encouraCinu Civ
Mamma has gone over to visit Mrs.
Goodell," she said.
Arthur cleared the fence at bound.
and then sat down on the long garden
bench, looking rather more sober than
usual.
Lillian came and smoothed away d
frown from his brow with her dainty
fingers.
What is it, Arthur" she asked,
anxiouslv.
Il have been thinking" said Arthur
soiemnly.
Lillian was ali sympathy in a mo-
ment.
Poor dear, did it hurt you?" she
asked tenderly.
Arthur put his hands in his pockets
and stood UP.
"Will you try and be serious little.
Lii. he said
SO you can be cross to me, sup
pose"
No. but want to talk TO you seri-
ously."