Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-05-22

JOu Inv, ouS ASPhSNt hSA
voice sinking to whisper.
II think it all began with the
growth OF boys love-" / said.
Her face flushed crimson on the
instant. A violent tremor shook
her frame. She clasped her hands
in a tense, excited gesture.
You-you-have been told r she
gasped. This is no-no-guess-
work -
II have been told nothing" re-
peated. { never stopped to consid- |
er the wisdom or the kindness of |
speaking out. was acting under an |
impulse which entirely controlled |
me.) But l have seen something, |
drawing my own conclusions.
"Have seen something? What?
Where l do not understand. Ex-
plain !"
"a little garden, the counterpart |
of this. That same summer house
filled up the corner. The rose trees
ran just so, and along one side there
stretched border of exactly that
size and shape-full of the same
dear, old-world plants. There they
grew-the hollyhocks, the golden
rod, the creeping Jennie, the colum-
bine, the sweet William, the canter-
bury bell. But the gardeners favor
tie above them all, the plant which
he priced the most, was-boy's
love-
She stared at me with a dazed, be-
wildered air. Her eyes were fixed
on mine. But she did not speak.
Every day" l went on, "when it
was fine he weeded and tended to
his plants and when it was wet he
sat in his summer-house and watch.
ed them. His one thought was that
they might be trim and ready
upon the arrival of some one
whom he always expected ; some one
who never came.
She put her hands TO her face.
She uttered one low, gasping cry.
"You-you-have-seen-him.'
Then she tottered, fell forward
and if had not caught her in my
arms, would have lain fainting on
the gravel.
x X
The last scene of my story was
enacted a week later. With the
consent and indeed with the approx
al Of DR.. X, it was arranged that
should take Helen over to the asy.
lum, and that she be allowed to see
her faithful gardener, who had been
waiting for her so long. ! was pres
ent at the interview shall not
easily forget it.
When he saw Helen, he started.
He turned pale. He trembled all
over. Then he shaded his eyes with
his hand and half closed them, like
one coming out of darkness into a
strong light.
GLOW do you find your garden Z"
he asked her, in an uncertain waver-
ing voice.
George George ~ was all she
could find to say, but in her utter
anee Of the name there tbroboed
world of pathos.
"Aiter you went" he continued,
still speaking in low and dreamy
tone, ruthless hands made havoc Of
your garden. But l restored it just
as it was-just as you had loved it.
l renewed the border myself. l re-
planted all your favorites as they
had been before. And / said to my
self that when you came back you
should never know the difference.
Was | right, Helen? Do-you-
see-any-change 2"
For answer she stretched out both
her hands to him. He took them
eagerly, yet tenderly. 1t seemed to
me that his eyes were less hazy now;
that they had grown more used to
the strong light.
He loosed one of her hands, still
retaining the other, stopped down,
picked spray of boys love and
handed it to her.
She took 1t and placed it in the
bosom of her dress. He uttered a
joyous cry, and, bending forward
clasped her in his arms. caught
glimpse of his face at that supreme
moment. / needed no better assur-
ance. / saw in an instant that what
| had scarcely dared to hope had
come about-that Helen and day.
Eubf rya~a roalaro1 - L.. x1-zaI