Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-07-29
The neglected garden, and thought hard

the neglected garden. and Thought hard
Tor some time Then he proceeded to
me village and hired a small bedroom
ior week. When he was going to bed
mat night he pulled his blind down,
anu looked carefully to sec there was
no chink or crack through which his
movements could be observed. Then he
began to unlress.
lie wore moleskin waistcoat, bare
with age but still warm and thick. lie
put the garment across his knee and
ripped the lining up the center. After
THIS ne thrust in his hand and drew out
some rustling papers. which he fat
tened out and fingered separately with
tender care. Joseph Binns had been
wise in his generation.
My poor old girl-she shall have 'em
ALL he lnuttered. I'm do the thing
proper and pretty. My word. little
Anne won't know herself"
1t was pathetic how he still cherished
the idea of youth In respect to the wo-
man he was seeking
The village had delightful food for
gossip during the next week.
A stranger took possession Of Widow
Jones empty cottage. and each day
brought with it some wonderful trans
formation. The garden was laid out,
the window cleaned and decorated, the
gate mended. the rooms scrubbed and
colored. The climax was reached when
big cart of piled-up furniture drew up
in the lane.
Then the neighbors came fiocking
with offers to help. but Joseph Binns
admitted no one into his house but
Lucy Haws. He had to make q con.
fidant of some one. and Lucy had taken
his fancy.
At last all was ready. The cottage
was fit for bride to enter. Lucy
clapped her hands with delight. Joe's
heart swelled with proud exultatiou
and anticipation. A haven Of rest for
the waning years Of his life with the
old sweetheart Of his youth. Not q
cloud should mar their happiness.
| "And now go right away. as quick n
ever you can. and fetch her home" said
the girl. with catch in her voice. a.
she helped the old man into his coat
and gave him his hat.
The old man was trembling with emo
ton. A pony and cart were waiting In
the lane. He got In and drove quietly
away in the direction of q large gra.
building standing out against the hill
some three miles distant from the vii
lage.
The porter came out from the lodge
'.rhis isn't visiting day" was tn,
gratuitous remark before Joseph Binnl
in his excited mood could frame q re
quest.
1--WE come to fetch some one'--h,
brought out the words with difficulty
''sOme one who doesn't need to have I,
stop here any longer. I'm her Lawful
husband and want to take her away
Anne Jones is her name-Widow Jones
that was Anne Binns"
Again the porter stared at the Of,
man. then he looked away and said II
an even voice void of expression:
"Anne Jones. known as Widow Jones
died at 6 o'clock this morning. Cor
OnerS inquest morrow AT leVeI
fun'ral at g."
The old man stood quiet and motion
less. The SUN beat fiercely down OF
the white gates. The clock in the towe
began 10 strike. and each stroke ran
out like funeral knell. The horse be
tween the shafts turned its head an
stared with almost human eyes on tn
statue-like figure Of the aged man.
And when the clock stopped strikin
there rose from the golden corn acros
the road the thrilling song Of soarin
lark. which flew towards the sun II
only tiny speck showed dark
against the blue Of heaven.-The Ell
glishwOman.