Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-06-09
DAILY SHORT STORY
Love in a Garden.
Copyright, 1904. by R. B. sheIron.I

neOSeS OH DOH. uOllH uOchS anu IOuT-
o'clocks b1oomed in profusion; bed of
sweet william spiced the iair, and tufts
of striped lgrass rustled pleasantly in
the breeze
In the midst Of the garden was q
huge colonial house of red brick. The
house, the, garden and the high brick
wall gave one the impression of n bit
of another century. quietly but stOlidly
holding dts own against the inroads OF
a latter day commercialism. Just be
yond thelgate the trolley cars changed.
and oversthe high wall We're vistas of
smoking chimneys towering heaven
ward. The hum of loom and spindle
seemed strangely antagonistic when
one stood near the sweet william bed
and listened to the chatter.
Some such thought had taken posses
sion Of Mr.. James Thornton as he
stepped Through the high, white gate
that led from the street and strolled
down a box lined tpath. At the very
moment Thornton unmatched the gate
Miss JanetICalvert, came from beneath
a wiStaria .trellis near the house and
entered heIother' end of the same box
lined path. They met near the bed of
mignOnette. Miss Calvert bowed with
something of condescending gracious
ness; Thornton removed his hat. ard
his rather stern features lighted with
n smile of genuine pleasure.
At this juncture the,little god entered
the garden. QIOw he managed his en-
trance is quite immaterialD He perch
ed himself on a ruined sundial and
looked over the pair thoHghtfully.
Young Miss Janet was good TO be
hold. Generations OF high bred Cal
verts had given her the proud pOise of
her head, the beautiful modelling of her
features. the bewitching arch of her in
step and the delicate lines of her little
hands.
Thornton was young. sturdy and
broad shOuldered. The clear cut lines
of his clean shaver face pronounced
him an aggressive man of action.
II am glad the house went to you
at the auction, Mr.. Thornton" said
Miss Calvert, with little catch of
the breath.
when l used to shake down horse
chestnuts in this very garden for
little pink and white tyrant, 1 was
Jimmy" he said chidingly.
Jimmy. if you wish it still, then"
she said, with the faintest flush.
Il do" he asserted eagerly. The
little god snickered and pricked up his
ears.
you'll build a big, unsightly block
here, 1 suppose" she said.
NO" he said quietly.
She raised her brows inquiringly.
"The land is very valuable" she sug-
gested.
TOO valuable for business purposes"
he explained.
rs anything more valuable than
businessE" she asked. with the barest
touch of irony in her voice.
Yes said he; sentiment"
Isn't sentiment rather an expensive
luxury" she asked.
Not in dollars and cents" he re-
piled. In other ways quite So
Il didn't know you We're a senti-
mentalist." she said.
I'm not he returned shortly.
The little god scratched his head in
puzzled fashion.
You came here today for last look
at the place, presume" he went on.
She nodded.
it?" he asked.
"Oh, no! 1t had to be somebody.
but-well, of course, I'm very fond of
it,"
You thought I'd shut you out of it
perhaps?' he continued.
Il thought you might change it," she
said.
We'll. 1 shan't," he said emphatic
ally.
The little god was uncertain whether
he should smile or frown.
Everything shall be kept just as it
is" Thornton said.
The girl was silent.
Il want the house just as it was"
he said. Yes. even to the occupants.
1 want you to live here again"
She shook her head. Its your house
now, you know
with me-" he pleaded in a low,
shaken voice.
"Oh. no. no. no." she said in almost
n sob. DON'T as he came n step
nearer. You are good and kind and
He drew himself up.
Forgive me for being Il fool" he
said coldly. Il was idiotic enough to
think JnaJ because you ndNe met Will
misfortune and 1 with n little paltry
success the gulf between us was less
ened. You are still the little pink and
white tyrant. and I am still the ragged
little urchin. l worshiped You from a
respectful distance then. Perhaps it is
better to do so now"
He turned on his heel and walked
down the path. The little god on the
sundial covered his eyes.
Miss Calvert's cOndescending gra-
ciouSness had fallen from her. The
proud poise of her head had gone too.
She watched him go with eyes which
suddenly filed with tears. She took an
uncertain step in ThOrnton's direction.
Mr.. Thornton" she called weakly.
The little god suddenly uncovered his