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

all the tools, plants aud seeds he
might ask for. The poor fellow
seized my hand and kissed it in pas
sionatc gratitude. Then he took up
his spade and set to work at once.
The result OF his efforts is what you
have just seen"
"Poor creaturei Poor, faithful
creature!"
Il dare say you noticed that little
rustic summer house, the doctor
continued. He built that, too
exactly like her summer house, which
$50 he fancied) had been pulled down.
On fine days he is happy gardening;
on wet days he is happy sitting in
that summer house looking at his
border. He is always expecting her.
Of course she never comes, but he is
always happy. Indeed have known
many, many sane people who find
far less pleasure in their life than
he," added the doctor with sigh.
And then he went on to talk of
other matters.
In a round of absorbing duties and
visits / soon forgot the episode Of
this poor patient and his little gar
den, and it might by this time have
slipped from my memory altogether
if it had not been recalled to me a
year or two later BY rather re-
markable occurrence.
In the course of my annual holt
day | happened to pay a brief visit
to some old friends whom | had not
seen for quite a dozen years, at their
nome in Wiltshire. The father of
the family had been a college chum
of mine, and during his lifetime l
had been to see him tolerably often.
But after his deaths my visits to his
family became less frequent. and at
last ceased altogether not owing to
any difference or GOODNESS, or indeed
from any purpose or design, but
because domestic and business ties
happened to draw us in opposite d.
rections.
When, however, during my holt
days | found myself staying within q
few miles of the place to which my
old friends widow and daughters
had moved, | took the opportunity
to call upon them and resume our
acquaintance. They were pleased
to see me and pressed me to spend a
few days under their roof-an
invitation which readily accepted.
Only two of the daughters were then
at home-May, the youngest, pref
ty and vivacious girl of Is, and the
eldest, Helen, widow of six months
standing, who had returned to her
mothers roof upon the death of her
husband.
When / last saw Helen, she was
about the same age May was now,
and equally bright and vivacious. 1t
seemed to me therefore, very strange
and sad to see her in her widow S
weeds and to note the melancholy
sorrow all too evident in that once
lively, girlish face. naturally as
signed this grief for her dead hus-
band-not knowing then that her
union with him had been unfortu-
nate and that his death had come to
her as welcome relief. However,
in the course of my visit, my eyes
were opened to the real secret of her
grief.
remember the occasion well. On
the first morning of my visit ] arose
early and took o stroll around the
garden while the dew of the summer
dawn was white upon the grass. |
had not expected to find anyone
about at such an hour, except posi-.
bly,; the gardener, and | felt some
surprise when, in a remote corner of
the garden, farthest from the house,
came upon Helen. She wore q
Holland apron and gardening gloves
and was busy shipping off the dead
flowers in long border with a pair
Of scissors. She started at the sound
of my footsteps on the gravel, then
came forward and offered me her
hand.
"You are busy betimes," / said.
"Yes," she answered. 81 do not
sleep well, and gardening is the &C.
cupation that I love best. | am Of
ten here earlier than this. This is
my own particular little garden. No
one else is allowed to touch it. How
do you like it p
at is quite little fairyland,' I
said, as / looked around me.
Then something seemed suddenly
to strike me. had seen this tiny
floral paradise before. Yes, yes !!
That rustic summer house, that line
of rose trees, that long, old-fashion-
ed border, full of hollyhocks, and
goldenrod and pinks, and columbine,
and balm, and boys love-yes, /
had surely seen it before And then
/ remembered where. A sudden
sense OF interest, OF excitement, Of
eager curiosity, made my heart
throb.
"You-you-are fond OF these
old-fashioned flowers 2" | asked her,
looking down into her face.
SGT 1.-Two fhop, oaro g. -