The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-09-23
Adam and Eve in
the Orchard *
BY EVELYN WELLS.

TT WAS the fault of the agents who
sold the property. twice over. Al
rambling ruin, surrounded by para
iise in the Italian style, with terraced
gardens and fight 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
lew about in the guise of strange, mis-
shapen birds-a garden full of incon-
yruities, for right in the heart of it
was planted an orchard.
Fate must have looked on, smiling
yrimly at the jest, when both proprie-
tors arrived simultaneously at the viii
age inn. full Of the intention of restor-
ng their newly-acquired property.
He had caught glimpse of the lady
<the widow of a rich landowner) the
morning after his arrival, and from
,he first moment his artist soul had
'allen worshiping before the fame of
ler red hair.
But her first glimpse of him had been
n the garden when he came across her
standing beneath the apple tree, one
lrm outstretched to pluck the rosy
'ruit which from time immemorial
lad held an attraction for her sex.
The glorious head. devoid of cover
ng, was thrown back; one long, rich
strand of hair had flown like thin
lame across the dim purple of her
sotton gown. 1t was q picture to ia
,oxieate, and calculated to turn a
iteadier head than the one upon his
youthful shoulders. He came towards
Ter. greeting in every gesture of his
,utstretched hands, and the one word
hat described the stiffness of the gar
len was EVE" 1t came thrilling
through space, it arrested her atten-
ion and held her captive to him in
establishment. How did this stranger
Snow her name?
In her surprise she half responded
o it, but convention raised it's head,
ierpent-like, and her shadow-gray eyes
dashed green with wonder and indig-
ration that stranger should dare to
ntrude upon her privacy and address
Ter in this familiar way.
He saw the look and grasped the
situation. Quickly the explanation
anne:
"A garden-and woman-the APP
,les helped to heighten the picture
renee the exclamation"
A smile quivered on her lips. He
ould have sworn he caught a lurking
nerriment in those eyes; but agar
he sernent asserted itself.
II prefer my Eden Adamless," she
aid, sweeping past him. with never
much as backward glance.
He merely repeated the final syllable
+ his new-found name, maybe by way
# not forgetting it.
On the morrow they met again
chis time by the old white wall thai
aced the south, covered, vine-like
nth tomato foliage.
Apples again. Apples of love-" h'
aid by way of greeting, as he pointed
the half-ripe fruit that nestled hid
ng in its wall of leaves.
she cast curious glance at them
milling at his use of the homely name
Screen as yet" was the somewhat
chilly comment as she gathered up he
purple gown.
"Ahl but they will ripen. All they
want is time" he called after her.
On the third day she discovered hin
with earth-Stained hands busy in thu
garden. She stood a while unperceived
critical spectator. Youth sat light,
upon him, strength manifested itsel
in every movement; the whole wa
pleasing even to her fastidious soul
She forgot to resent the easy assur
nee that even while it piqued her al
racted her.
Curiosity struggled with convention
alitv The woman in her encourage
the former, so that its victory was a
easy one.
The serpent hid its bruised head an
slumbered. Then:
"Are you the gardener" she inter
ogated.
He scarcely noticed the insolence o
he query; all he was conscious of wa
Eve had come, the garden suddenl
'as glorified
'Adam delving amongst the soil, h
quoted, fiinging his tool aside an
sinking on the grass at her feet.
The aptness of the quotation please
her; his audacity disarmed her; sh
felt as if she were standing on tn
brink Of the precipice called Excite
lnent. The serpent slept.
let it sleep on" said Eve, wit
youth racing through her veins. Afte
all, what is the good of being in Eide
if one does not taste the sweetness
forbidden fruit?
The bank was a tempting restin
place; hunting in the orchard and
the south wall had been firing wor