Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-07-07
LOVE IN
A GA RDEN
Copyright, 1904. by R. B. shelton.l

Its walks were bordered with low
hedges Of box; hollyhocks and four
o'clocks bloomed in profusion; bed of
sweet william spiced the air, and tufts
of striped grass rustled pleasantly in
the breeze.
In the midst Of the garden was a
huge colonial house of red brick. The
house, the garden and the high brick
wall gave one the impression Of a bit
OF another century, quietly but stondly
holding its own against the inroads Of
latter day commercialism. Just be-
yond the gate the trolley cars changed,
and over the 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 clatter.
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 path At the very
moment Thornton Unattached the gate
Miss Janet Calvert came from beneath
a wistaria trellis near the house and
entered the other end of the same box
lined path. They met near the bed Of
mtgnOnette. 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 he managed his en-
trance is quite immateriaL) He perch
ed himself on a ruined sundial and
looked over the pair thoughfully.
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 cleaa shaven face pronounced
him an aggressive man of action.
Il am glad the house went to you
at the auction, Mr.. Thornton" sid
Miss Calvert, with a little catch of
the breath.
when used to shake down horse
chestnuts in this very garden for a
little pink and white tyrant, I 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 big. unsightly block
here, 1 suppose" she said.
NO." he said quietly.
She raised her brows inquiringly.
1.-THE land is very valuable" she sug-
| gested.
TOO valuable for business purposes"
he explained.
us anything more valuable than
business?" 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 sos
II didn't know you were senti-
mentalist," she said.
I'm not" he returned shortly.
The little god scratched his head in
| puzzled fashion.
you came here today for a last look
at the place, presume" he went on
She nodded.
"Are you angry with me for buying
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.
II thought you might change it," she
said.
"Well, shan't," he said emphatic
ally.
The little god was uncertain whether
he should smile or frown.
Everything shall be kept just as 1t
u.s." Thornton said.
The girl was silent.
II 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. "It's your house
now, you know"
with me-" he pleaded in low,
| shaken voice.
"Oh, no, no, no." she said in almost
sob. "Don't!" as he came a step
nearer. you are good and kind and''-
He drew himself up.
Forgive me for being a fool" he
said coldly. 81 was idiotic enough to
think that because you have met with
misfortune and 1 with little paltry
success the gulf between US was less
ened. You sre still the little pink and
white tyrant, and 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 Calverts condescending gra-
ciousness had fallen from her. The
proud poise Of her head had gone too.
l