The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-24
Eve and an Apple.

Eve and an apple overcame an ances-
ter OF mine. lie would not have wanted
the apple, he said. but for Eve. That
was exactly my case. Eve hvcd at No.
81, and at No. "a. / am not sure where
the apple lived. but IL was at one of the
two. IL hung on high branch over
No. SIS garden, but IL fattened on the
soil OF No. 81. for which, ] paid rent
1t was Eve of course. who called my
attention 10 II. 1 heard her voice through
the, open window. She has an attractive
voice.
"oh look, mother.' she cried There
is my apple
Hush dear, IL isn't your apple at all.
1t belongs TO the people next door"
"He isn't people," objected Eve. am
u bachelor.
Anyhow the apple Is his"
us III" She tossed her head. She has
a graceful way of tossing hor head.
Then ne shant have IL. Mr.. Layton
gave it To me every year Mr.. Layton
was my predecessor 'You know he al
ways let me his ladder to get IT," l felt
Inclined To oner my ladder there and
then; but the time, like the apple, was
not ripe
AS the summer went on the apple grew
In size and beauty. Eve watched the
4
nice 10 watch that ] aid not offer her
the Forbidden fruit. / regarded II as a
hostage Tor her regular appearance. In
the dusk OF evening 1--we tried 10 reach
II win clothes prop--at least IL looked
like Eve. | knew II was "A clothes prop.
because she let IL drop over my wall, anu
II smashed three panes of u cucumber
frame. Next morning she happened 10
be In the garden, so 4 returned It,
I'm afraid IL broke something"
she apologised.
IN tell Mary Jane not To stand IL up
against your wall again." she promised.
mendaciously.
Next she tried Knocking tennis balls at
IL. of course, she never went within a
couple of yards. picked up nine balls
next morning, and restored them To her.
Il thought they were windfalls from
my apple tree, said; and she fed In
doors.
When came home that evening the
apple was SIN there, I'm all it's glory: but
when IL grew dusk I noticed maneuvers
with the prop going on once more. Finally
! heard a cry OF triumph, and the rustic
of her skirts as she ran indoors. Then
l went out.
climbed the tree. gathered about a
gallon OF apples and sent them In with "A
note.
Dear Madam--I trust you will accept
a few apples from my tree overhanging
your garden ,as l notice that there Is
only one upon your side.
II have, however. "A special reason for
Il
garden TO gather IL? Yours very truly,
Frank Newton" !.
In few minutes Sarah Ann returned
with Mrs Parker's thanks. and an assur-
ance that she would be pleased for me
10 gather the apple whenever | liked.
| went round tn their front door, Knocked
and was shown into "A cosy sittingroom.
Mrs. Parker received me very pleasantly.
but Miss Eve was rather quiet
You Will be surprised at my bothering
you about single apple said. The
fact is ! want I, for some one who has
I'VE have noticed" said her mother.
with side glance at Eve. that II Is a
singularly fine apple
picked IT," Mrs. Parker confessed. Eve
said nothing. She appeared TO have be-
come absorbed I'm book.
"I'll bring IL In at once" ] promised. /
went out and ascended the tree. No one
apple from my own side. When I re-
"It doesn't look quite so large of the
upon upon the table
No said her mother. examining IL
IL Is very fine one"
Perhaps your daughter would like to
.'Ye-es." She laughed "I am afraid
Il will make her feel rather envious.' -
She rang the bell, and the servant came.
Ask Miss Eve TO come for moment.
please
After few minutes waiting pretty
Eve reappeared looking guiltily de-
T"Mr. Newton wants you to see his ap-
pie, Eve. dear. Isn't IL "A beauty" Eve
flushed and gave me a swift glance.
YES" she said. hesitatingly She
seemed to he studying the floor rather
"It might be fellow To the one that
tempted Eve." | observed. with a smile.
She traced a pattern with her foot.
Adam was also tempted"
"By Eve. 1 believe? l don't fancy he
wanted the apple much. did he?
You could not have nicer apple than
this, anyhow" She looked right at me
at last Her eyes said quite plainly,
''You needn't tell mother" As II l had
any such intention
"I am glad you like It," 7 said, "be-
cause | want to give II tn YOU If | may.
| could not help noticing that you ad-
mired H."
There. Even' said her mother. 'T told
you that every one would see that YOU
I'll am sorry she said, in subdued
little voice
please don't say that. or you will spoil
my pleasure In giving It.;
"Then--T am not sorry" She took IL
with "A laugh.
Soon afterward I went. assuring Mrs.
Parker that I should soon avail myself
of her kind invitation TO call again.
The next day was Sunday. In the af-
ternoon Eve sat under the shade of my
ample tree fe3nlng "a Dook. 30 Il stTOlleu
out and looked over the wall.
Eve" remarked. was turned out of
Paradise for stealing an apple
She looked up and smiled. Then she
looked down.
"rhe annual apple on this side has al
ways belonged To Eve" she asserted.
she might spare tiny piece for
Adam" suggested. She glanced at me
out of the corner of her eyes.
Adam was better without the apple,
you know" she assured me.
Adam" | declared, needed no pity at
all"
She rested her chin on one hand. and
looked at me inquiringly with her big
eyes. / would put down how she looked
II Il were possible. IL isn't. More or
dmary charm of feature or coloring IL
common enough to have words. Real
prettness Is unique. unnameable: little
willful curves Of the features, little
waves OF the hair-and ways" She is
pretty like that.
Adam" she remarked. lost Paradise
and the apples"
but he had Eve
You have plenty OF apples" she said
"and you are not shut out Of Paradise"
Then ] replied promptly. ~ will
come in" 7 did.
How do YOU know this Is Psradisc?"
Eve IL here
She looked at me sauciy over her book.
Poor Eve was much to be pitied"'
Because she lost Paradise?''