Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-01-25
Adam and Eve in
the Orchard <
Nv EVELYN WELLS.

TT WAS the fault Of the agents who
sold the property twice over. A
rambling ruin, surrounded by para
disc in the Italian style, with terraced
gardens and a flight Of stone steps
the bowers over which the roses thre"
their long caressing arms; a place
sun-fooded by day, but at night DIM
shadowland, inhabited by spirits that
few about in the guise Of strange mis-
shapen birds-a garden full OF incon-
gruities. for right in the heart OF 1t
was planted an orchard,
Fate must have looked on, smiling
primly at the jest, when both proprie-
tors arrived simultaneously at the VII
lape inn. full Of the intention Of restor-
ing their newly-acquired property.
He had caught glimpse Of the lady
fthe widow OF rich landowner the
morning after his arrival, and from
the first moment his artist soul had
fallen worshiping 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 tree, one
arm outstretched to pluck the rosy
fruit which from time immemorlAl
had held an attraction for her sex.
The glorious head, devoid Of cover
ing. was thrown back; one long, rich
strand OF hair had flown like thin
flame across the dim purple Of her
cotton gown. It was picture to in
to1icate. aud calculated to turn a
steadier head than the one upon his
youthful shoulders. He came towards
her. greeting in every gesture OF hlS
outstretched hands, and the one word
that described the stiffness Of the gar
den was Eve" II came thrilling
through space, it arrested her atten-
tion and held her captive TO him in
astonishment. How did this stranger
know her name7
In her surprise she half responded
10 II. but convention raised its head,
serpent-like, and her Shadow-gray eyes
flashed green with wonder and indig-
nation that a stranger should dare to
intrude upon her privacy and address
her in thi. familiar way.
He saw the look and grasped the
situation. Quickly the explanation
came:
"a garden-and woman-ths sp-
plies helped to heighten the picture
hence the exclamation"
A smile quivered on her lips. He
could have sworn he caught 8 lurking
merriment in those eyes; but again
the serpent asserted itself.
81 prefer my Eden Adamless." she
said, sweeping past him, with never
so much as a backward glance.
He merely repeated the final syllable
Of his newfound 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, vins-hke,
with tomato foliage.
"Apples again. Apples of love" he
said by way OF greeting, as he pointed
to the half-ripe fruit that uestled hid
ing in its wall OF leaves.
She cast curious glance at them,
smiling at his use Of the homely name.
Green as yet" was the somewhat
chilly comment as she gathered up her
purple gown,
"Ah! but they will ripen. All they
want is time" he called after her.
On the third day she discovered him
with earth-stnincd hands busy in the
garden. She stood while unperccived.
critical spectator Youth sat lightly
upon him, strength manifested itself
in every movements the whole was
pleasing even ~ her tnstidious soul
She forgot to resent the easy assur-
ance that even while it piqued her at
tracted her.
Curiosity struggled with convention
Hlity The woman in her encouraged
the former, so that its victory vaS an
easy one.
The serpent hid its bruised head and
slumbered Then:
Are vow the gardener" she inter.
rogated
Hr scarcely noticed the insolence Of
the query; all he was conscious ~ WAS
Eve had come, the garden suddenly
was glurifed
adam delving amongst the soil. he
quoted htnging his tool aside and
sinking ON the grass at her fcet.
The aptueSs ~ the quotation pleased
her, his audaoity disarmcd her. she
'rIt os II she were standing ON the
hrmk ~ the prccipicc called Excite
mcnt The serpent slept
Yet il sleep on" said Eve. with
youth racing through her veins After
all. what is the good ~ being i'm Eden
" unr does NOT taste the sweetness NJ
torbljdep iwtr
The bank WAS a tempting resting
place, hunting in the orchard and by
the south wall hEd been firing work
SHE sank with al the grarrfulnrss OF
a tall woman vu the grass and lrt her
gaze wander atily across the garden;
hs view was Not nearly so far-rca,h.