Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-10-16
Adam and Eve in
the Orchard ~
BY EVELYN WELLS.

IL WAS the fault OF the agents Nh'
sold the property twice over. 4
rambling ruin, surrounded by a para
disc in the italian style, with terraceC
gardens and a fight of stone steps
the bowers over which the roses threw
their long caressing arms; place
sun-fooded by day, but at night din
shadowland, inhabited by spirits that
few about in the guise Of strange, mis-
shapen birds-a garden full Of incon-
gruities, for right in the heart Of il
was planted an orchard.
Fate must have looked on, smiling
grimly at the jest, when both proprie-
tors arrived simultaneously at the vii
lage inn, fun Of the intention Of restor-
ing their newly-acquired property.
He had caught glimpse Of the lady
(the widow of a rich landowner the
morning after his arrival, and from
the first moment his artist soul had
fallen worshiping before the fame Of
her red hair.
But her first glimpse Of him had been
in the garden when he came across her
standing beneath the apple tree, one
arm outstretched to pluck the rosy
fruit which from time immemorial
had held an attraction for her sex.
The glorious head, devoid of cover
! ing. was thrown back; one long, rich
strand of hair rad flown like a thin
fame across the dim purple Of her
cotton gown. 1t was a picture to in
toxicate, and calculated to turn a
steadier head than the one upon his
youthful shoulders. He came towards
her, greeting in every gesture Of his
outstretched hands, and the one word
that described the stiffness of the gar
den was eve" It came thrilling
through space, Il arrested her atten-
tion and held her captive to him in
establishment. How did this stranger |
know her name?
In her surprise she half responded |
TO il, but convention raised its head, |
seTpent-like, and her shadow-gray eyes |
flashed green with wonder and indig- |
nation that a stranger should dare to
intrude upon her privacy and address
her in this familiar way. I
lie saw the look and grasped the
situation. Quickly the explanation
came. '-T .s.--.----. ...... ,-...
"a garden-and a woman-the APP
Piles helped TO heighten the picture
hence the exclamation"
4 smile quivered on her lips. He
could have sworn he caught lurking
merriment in those eyes; but again
the serpent asserted itself.
81 prefer my Eden Adamless," she
said, sweeping past him, with never
so much as a backward glance.
He merely repeated the final syllable
Of his new-found name, maybe by way
Of not forgetting il.
On the morrow they met again.
This time by the old white wall that
faced the south, covered, vine-like,
With tomato foliage.
"Apples again. Apples Of love" he
'nid by way of greeting, as he pointed
.o the half-ripe fruit that nestled hid I
ng in its wall Of leaves
She cast a curious glance at them, I
milling at his use Of the homely name. I
"Green as yet" was the somewhat I
.hilly comment as she gathered up her +
purple gown. I
"Ahl but they will ripen. All they
want is time" he called after her 7
On the third day she discovered him Z
With earth-stained hands busy in the a
,arden. She stood a while unperceived. I
critical spectator. Youth sat lightly
mon him gfrarr+b r;Fo-.1g s.-aie
n every movement; the whole was $
pleasing even TO her fastidious soul. !
he forgot to resent the easy assur-
nee that even while it piqued her at /
racted her. a
Curiosity struggled with conventions
lily. The woman in her encouraged
he former, so that its victory was an q
asy one.
The serpent hid its bruised head and h
numbered. Then:
Are you the gardener?" she inter- :
ogated. =
He scarcely noticed the insoleuce Of :
he query; an he was conscious Of was
Eve had come, the garden suddenly
vas glorifed. Il
Aaam oelNing amongst the soil, he r
uoted, finging his tool aside and y
linking on the grass at her feet. v
The aptness of the quotation pleased n
er; his audacity disarmed her; she :
slt as if she were standing on the {
rink Of the precipice called Excite
nent. The serpent slept.
Let it sleep en-" said Eve. with ..
.outh racing through her veins. After Y
II, what is the good Of being in Eden
, one does not taste the sweetness Il
orbidden fruit2
The bank was a tempting resting !
lace; hunting in the orchard and bv
he south wall had been firing work. !.
'he sank with all the gracefulness OF
tail woman on the grass and let her
rae wander laziIy across the garden;
Iis view was not nearly So far-reach-
ng. The oval If her coI6rless face,
With its flaming halo against the
FTgI Z. f.Ht.gHF9IE Il .a.aatr--.... H.