Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-30

dow, peering out at the garden wall
opposite. Her heart gave a little
bound as the blank face of the wall
met her gaze The sign was gone.
1t was very merry pretty neigh
Dor that hailed Martin shortly after.
''Ho," cried the pretty neighbor, bold
ly walking through the little iron gate
into the garden-"ho, l knew you
didn't mean to sell your garden! You
thought you'd scare me into loving
you."
The man, who had been wedding.
looked up at her. He wore an old
broad brimmed straw hat that In
some undefinable way made him seem
even more strikingly handsome than
ever.
You're wrong" he declared slowly.
"It's soldv'
WHAT cried the pretty neighbor
in CONSERVATION.
Eyes" replied the man.
"And some ones going to put up a
horrid. grimy factory here?" walled
the pretty neighbor.
Perhaps" said the man listlessly
''Pm glad you came over" he went
on. 81 was afraid I'd have to go with
out saying goodby to you"
"GoodbyY' asked the girl. her face
a picture of surprise and dismay.
YES" the man went on, I'm going
away. My train leaves at noon. You
may never see me again"
''Why-why are you going?" STAN
mered the pretty neighbor very Woe
fully.
The man looked up at her quickly.
There's nothing for me TO stay here
for" he replied without animation,
evidently not finding what he hoped
in the girls face.
I'm sorry" said the girl finally.
She extended her hand In silence
he shook it. Slowly she went toward
the gate. When she was almost there
the man called to her.
I'm BRUTE" he declared contritely,
'for letting you think for a minute
that I'd ever really let factory be
erected here. Since you love the gar
den so you've a right to know that the
man who has bought it is your father
He will not disturb it for some time
not for the present at least"
"Ohw cried the girl. For a moment
her face was radiant, then suddenly it
went sad again.
Wouldn't you-won't you come back
some time and visit my fathers gar
DEM" she asked
'No, I'll not come back" the man re-
piled. "It-it would hurt too much.
Goodby."
"Goodby," repeated the girl and
slowly went through the little iron
gate. across the street to her home.
Several times during the next hour
she looked at the clock and involunta-
rily sighed. The morning was going
very fast, 1t seemed. Faster and fast
er the time flew on toward noon. Pres
emily it was 1890 then 10:45 and then
II o'clock.
When the morning reached this
point the pretty neighbor was sudden
ly galvanized into action.
"Good graciousw she cried, jumping
from the chair where she had been en-
deavoring to read a book. 'Good gra-
cious. he may be gone, and l haven't
found out where he Is going'
Without more ado the pretty neigh
Dor raced out Of the house and across
the street TO the little iron gate. The
gate was locked! Wildly she tore
around the wall to the great front
gate. Through this she ran up the
shady, curving path to the big house.
Suddenly, as at high speed she bore
around particularly sharp curve, she
pumped right into the arms of the
man. The latter, when he saw that
It was the pretty neighbor, dropped the
suit case he had been carrying and
drew her closely to him.
Dear, dear sweetheart" he cried, I
simply can't leave you! l can't do itv'
He Rugged her so tightly that she
fairly gasped for breath. However, the
pretty neighbor had enough breath left
to gasp reply-a very faint reply.
"Don't CO." she said, burrowing her
head into his coat. Don't go. It's not
your garden / want. It's not your gar
den Pm In love with. It's you!"