Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-08-07
Adam and Evxin
the Orchard "
Ir WAS the fauIt w agent. who
BY EVELYN WELLS.

-S.p-s--S.-
TT WAS the fault ot/f agents who
sold the property lice over. A
rambling ruin, surrounded by para
disc in the Italian style, with terraced
gardens and flight Of stone steps,
the bowers over which the roses threw
their long caressing arms; place
sun-hooded by day, but at night dim
shadowland, inhabited by spirits that
few about in the grlise Of strange, mis-
shapen birdsa garden full OF incon-
griiiiies, for right in the heart Of II
was planted an orchard.
Fate must have looked on, smiling
grimly at the jest, when both proprie-
tors arrived simultaneously Mt the viii
lage inn, full Of the intention OF restor-
ing their newly-acquired property.
lie had caught a glimpse Of the Indy
(the widow OF rich landowner) the
morning after his arrival, and from
the first moment his artist soul had
fallen worshiping before the flame OF
her red hair.
But her first glimpse Of him had been
in the garden when he cuine 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 seI,
The glorious head, devoid OF cover
ing, was thrown back; one long, rich
strand Of hair had flown like thin
flame across the dim purple Of her
cotton gown. II was n picture to L.
toricate, and calculated to turn n
steadier head than the one upon his
youthful shoulders. lie 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" II came thrilling
through space, 1t arrested her atten-
tion and held her captive TO him in
astonishment. How did this stranger
know her name2
In her surprise she half responded
to Il, but convention raised its head,
serpent-like, and her shOdow-gray eyes
flashed green with wonder and indig-
nation that n stranger should dare to
intrude upon her privacy and address
her in this familiar way.
He saw the look and grasped the
situation. Quickly the explanation
came;
"a garden-and a womhn-the ap-
Piles helped TO heighten the picture
hence the exclamation"
A smile quiyered on her lips. lie
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
$50 much as n backward glance.
He merely repeated the final syllable
OF his new'tound 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, Nne-like,
with tomato foliage.
"Applcs again Apples OF love" he
said by way Of greeting, as he pointed
to the half.ripe fruit that nestled hid
ing In its wall OF leaves
She east curious glance at them,
smiling at his use Of the homely name.
"Green as yet" was the somewhat
chilly comment as she gathered up her
purple gown.
"Ah! but they will ripen. All they
want is time he called after her.
On the third day she discovered him
with earth.stRned hands busy In the
garden. She stood a while unpcrceived,
a critical spectator. Youth sat lightly
upon him, strength manifested itself
IN every movement; the whole was
pleasing even h her fastidious soul.
She forgot to resent the easy assur-
ance that even while II piQued her at
trncted her,
Curiosity struggled with convention
Ality The woman In her encouraged
the former, so that its victory was an
easy ono,
The serpent hid its bruised head and
slumbered, Then;
b Are you the gffdensr?" she inter
rogated
lie scarcely noticed the insolencc ~
the query; all he was conscious of WAS
Eve had come the garden suddenly
was glorihed,
adam delying amongst the soil, +" he
quoted, tlinging his tool aside and
sinking on the grass at her feet.
The aptness ~ the quotationp pleased
her; his Nudacity disNrmed her, she
lelt as II she were standing on the
brink Of the precipice called Excite
plent The serpent slept
/ 3 slet II sleep on" said Eve, with
Youth racing through her veins, After
all. what is the good ~ being in Eden
N one does not taste the sweetness of
forbidden fruN'
The bank was n tempting resting
place; hunting in the orchard and by
the south wall had been tiring work