Sharp County record., 1903-03-20
Adam and Eve in
the Orchard ~
By EVELYN WELLS.

SOh the properly t"lCe o'7i' -
rambling ruin, surrounded by para
disc in theItalian style, with tetraced
gardens and a flight of stone steps
che bowers over 3hich the roses threw
their long caressing arms; place
sun-fooded bS day, but at night DIN
shadowlahd, inhabited by spirits that
Aew about in the guise Of strange, mis-
shapen birds-a garden full OF incoh'
eruities, for right in the heart OF IT
was planted an orchard
Fate must have looked on, smiling
trimly at the jest, when both proprle'
tors arrived simultaneously AT the VII
iage inn, full Of thsintention OF rcstor-
ing their newly y-G~Trired property.
He had caught glimpse Of the lady
ethe widow Of a rich landownerC the
morning after his arrival, and from
fhe first moment his artist soul had
fallen worshipihg before the flame OF
her red hair.
But her first glimpse of him had been
IN the garden when he came across her
standing beneath the apple free, 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
sng, was thrown back; one long, rich
strand of hair had flown like thin
flame across the dim purple OF Ter
cotton gowh. II was picture TO If
toxicate, and calculated TO turn d
tteadier head than the one upon his
youthful shoulders. He came towards
her, greeting in every gesture OF hla
ontstretched hands, and the one word
Il at described the stiffness Of the gar
9.n was Eve" It came thrilling
through space, il arrested her atten-
tion and held her captive to him IN
astonishment How did this stranger
know her name?
In her surprise she half responded
70 it, but convention raised ITS head.
serpent -Iike and her shadow-gray eyes
flashed green with wonder and indig-
nation that a stranger should dare to
intrudc upon her privacy and address
her in this familiar way.
He saw the look and grasped the
situation. Quickly the explanation
came;
"A garden-ahd a woman-the ap-
pies helped to heRhten the picture
hence the exclamation"
A 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
50 much Ms backward glance.
He merely repeated the final syllable
OF his newfouhd name, maybe by way
of not forgetting it.
On the morrow they met again.
This time by the old white wall that
faced the south, covered, yine-hke,
with tomato foliage.
"Apples again, Apples OF love" he
Enid bt way Of greeting, as he pointed
70 the halt-ripe fruit that nestled hid
gng IN It's wall OF lt&NtS,
She cast curious glance at them,
smiling at his use OF the homely name.
Green ms yet" was the somewhat
chilly comment az she gathered up her
purple gown.
"Aht but they will ripen, All they
want is time" he called after her.
On the third day she discovered him
with earth-stained hands busy in the
garden. She stood while unperceived,
critical spectator. Youth sat lightly
upon him, strength manifested itself
in every movement; the whole was
pleasing even TO her fastidious soul
She forgot to resent the easy assur.
ance that even while it piqued her at.
aracted her.
Curiosity struggled with convention
ality. The woman in her encouraged
The former, so that its victory was an
easy one.
The serpent hid It's bruised head and
slumbered, Then:
"Are you the gardener" she inter
togated,
He scarcely noticed the iusolence OF
the query; AL he was conscious Of was
Eve had come, the garden suddenly
was glorifed.
adam delving amongst the soil, he
quoted, flihginR his tool aside and
sinking on the grass ut her feet.
The apthess Of the quotation pleased
her; his audncity disarmed her; she
felt as II she were standing on the
brink Of the precipice called Excite
ment. The serpent slept.
"I.et il sleep on" said Eve, with
youth racing through her veins. After
ell. wbat'is the good Of being in Eden
il one does not taste the sweetness OF
forbidden fruit?
The bank was tempting resting
place; hunting in the orchard and by
the south wall had been firing work.