Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-10-26
IN
A GARDEN
Copyright, 1904, by r. b. Shelton

D. the breeze.
p In the midst of the garden was q
n huge colonial house of red brick. The
e house, the garden and the high brick
= wall gave one the impression of bit
4 OF another century, quietly but stolidly
: holding its own against the inroads Of
j. q latter day commerciallsm. Just be-
: yond the gate the trolley cars changed,
and over the high wall were vistas Of
= smoking chimneys towering heaven
5 ward. The hum Of loom and spindle
, seemed strangely antagonistic when
one stood near the sweet william bed
: and listened to the clatter.
, Some such thought had taken posses
! sion OF MIR. James Thornton as he
stepped through the high, white gate
that led from the street and strolled
down box lined path. At the very
moment Thornton unattached the gate
Miss Janet Calvert came from beneath
wiStaria trellis near the house and
entered the other 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 and
his rather stern features lighted with
a smile of genuine pleasure.
AT this juncture the little god entered |
the garden. (HOw lie managed his en-
trance is quite immaterial) He perch
ed himself on a ruined sundial and
looked over the pair thodghtfully.
Young Miss Janet was good to be-
| hold. Generations Of high bred Cal
Serts 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 shaven face pronounced
him an aggressive man Of action.
Il am glad the house went to you
at the auction, Mr.. Thornton" said
Miss Calvert, with little catch Of
the breath, {
when | used TO shake down horse
chestnuts in this very garden for a !
little pink and white tyrant, was '
Juuuly, lie SAID cnlulngly.
Jimmy. if you wish it still, then" Il
she said. with the faintest flush.
Il do" he asserted eagerly. The d
little god snickered and pricked up his e.
ears. o
you'll build big, unsightly block "
here, suppose she said. ~
mo-" he said quietly.
She raised her brows inQuiringly. 81
"The land is very valuable" she sug- ~
gested. OF
TOO valuable for business purposes" "
be explained 81
rs anything more valuable than w
ousiness" she asked, with the barest II
ouch of irony in her voice. D.
es," said he; sentiment"
Isn't sentiment rather an expensive W.
uxury?" she asked IN
''Not in dollars and cents" he re. ia
lied. "In other ways quite So" OF
Il didn't know you were a sent- in'
she said. ac'
I'm not" he returned shortly. Col
The little god scratched his head In an
uzzled fashion. est
you came here today for last loo: 4
t the place, presume" he went on. Dy
She nodded. per
"Are you angry with me for buying per
2" he asked. SIN
"Oh, no. 1t had to be somebody,
lt-well. Of course, I'm very fond OF son
=" deg
You thought I'd shut you out Of 1t Car
'rhaps" he continued. elal
II thought you might change It," she eve
id. A
We'll, l shan't." he said emphatic pub
". recc
The little god was uncertain whether s'a'
should smile or frown. uec'
Everything shall be kept just as 1t tn''
y Thornton said. eno'
The girl was silent give
I want the house just as it was" Al
said. yes, even to the occupants. won
want You to live here again" vi
he shook her head. Its your house was
W, you know" Norl
With me-" he pleaded in low, reco
ken voice. was
oh, no, no, no." she said in almost "rIl
sob. Don't" as he came step 10 u
rer "you arc oood and Find ond" serni
lie drew himself up. the
Forgive mo for baino n fool" no mani
I coldlv az WAC ;diotic enough 70 been
TX that because you have met with was
fortune and with n LITTLE noltrv only.
cess the gulf between us was less. out
d. You are still the little pink and oe g
70 tvrant and am stiu tho roooo1 distiI
o urcbin xvorobinod won fron, n word
'ectful distance then. Perhaps it Is WI
er to do so now" uoust
e turned Oh his heel and walked " III,
n the path. The little god on the Gu u
lial covered his eyes, puoih
ss Calvert,s condosoo,d,ro ,,-o diSco'
sness had faIlon fror, how Tho be pr
ii noise NJ bor hood hod ooro Too speecl
watched him go with eyes which
lenly filled with tears. She took an 'ne q
rtain step in Thornton's direction. "itei '
Ir. Thornton" she called weakly. ho''
e little goo suddenly uncovered his er"''
and cat I'M Thorr+or ,,.o,,,o1 He on
,;,v toward .i,o ooto the CO
p Thornton I,n,,,,,, M, 1,,,,, were
ornto, turpad 10 oo,, 49,. ar. write
toward him. He stared stupidity WIZ
I man suddenly awakened. once !
oh thougbt u WOO, hoa,,,,. repeat
, maor,, d,a,,,t ,,na" se ~" one Oh
aid falteringly. On"'
net" he said h0arsely as he took uo"n
| his arms. ianes
little god on the sundiai held hA p''''"'
and wept tears of merriment.
ia w. The
Moore's
Sly Dig. .Io 800