The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-05-24
Adam and Eve in
the Orchard <
BY EVELYN WELLS.

1T WAS the fault Of the agents who
sold the property twice over. A
rambling ruin. surrounded by para
lse in the Italian style, with terraced
gardens and fight of stone steps,
the bowers over which the roses threw
their long caressing arms: place
sun-hooded by day, but at night dim
shadowland. inhabited by spirits that
lew about in the guise of strange, mis-
shapen birds-a garden full OF incon-
yruities, for right in the heart OF 1t
was planted an orchard.
Fate must have looked on. smiling
yrimly at the jest, when both proprie-
tors arrived simulta neously at the vii
age inn, full of the intention of restor-
ng their newly property.
He had caught glimpse Of the lady
lthe widow Of rich landowner the
morning after his arrival, and from
he first moment his artist soul had
ALLEN worshiping before the fame of
Ter red hair.
But her first glimpse of him had been
n the garden when he came across her
,tanding beneath the apple tree, one
trm outstretched to pluck the rosy
,ruit which from time immemorial
lad held an attraction for her sex
The glorious head, devoid of cover
ng. was thrown back; one long, rich
;trand of hair had flown like thin
lame across the dim purple of Ter
cotton gown. 1t was picture to IL
oxicate. and calculated to turn a
;teadier head than the one upon his
youthful shoulders. He came towards
Ter, greeting in every gesture OF his
mtstretched hands, and the one word
hat described the stiffness of the gar
len was Eve" 1t came thrilling
through space. it arrested her atten-
ion and held her captive to him in
,stonishment How did this stranger
1now her name?
In her surprise she half responded
o it, but convention raised its head
erpent-like. and her shadow-gray eyes
| dashed green with wonder and inclg
! nation that a stranger should dare tc
ntrude upon her privacy and address
Ter in this familiar way.
He saw the look and graspsd thu
| 1tudtlCH. QuiShiy TIC SAPA"~'
anne:
"A garden-and a woman-the ap
,les helped to heighten the picture
renee the exclamation"
A smile quivered on her lips II
ould have sworn he caught lurking
nerriment in those eyes; but agar
he serpent asserted itself.
81 prefer my Eden Adamless," sh
aid. sweeping past him, with neve
much as a backward glance.
He merely repeated the final syllabl
f his new-found name, maybe by wa
# not forgetting it.
> On the morrow they met agaiI
, This time by the old white wall tina
aced the south. covered, vine-llk'
With tomato foliage.
"Apples again. Apples Of love- b
aid by way of greeting. as he polnte
: the half-ripe fruit that nestled hi'
\ ng in its wall of leaves.
= She cast curious glance at Their
milling at his use of the homely nam
Green as vet" was the somewh;
{ chilly comment as she gathered up h'
: purple gown.
"Ah. but they will ripen. All the
want is time" he called after her.
! On the third day she discovered hi
r with earth-stained hands busy in Il
: garden. She stood while unperceive
critical spectator. Youth sat light
+ upon him, strength manifested itse
in every movement; the whole W
y pleasing even to her fastidious sol
( She forgot to resent the easy assn
: ,nce that even while it piqued her 8
Z racted her.
( Curiosity struggled with conventio
\ alitv. The woman in her encourag
8 the former, so that its victory was
( easy one.
y The serpent hid its bruised head a
slumbered. Then:
5 "Are you the gSrdener?" she int
: ogated
< He scarcely noticed the insolence
\ he query; all he was conscious OF "
= Eve had come, the garden sudden
= ,as glorified.
y adam delvinY amongst the soil,
L quoted, fiinging his tool aside
E sinking on the grass at her feet.
= The aptness OF the quotation pleas
K her; his audacity disarmed her; S
= felt as if she were standing on
s. brink of the precipice called Excl
9 ment. The serpent slept.
= LET it sleep on" said Eve, W
e youth racing through her veins. At
g all. what is the good of being in Ed
" if one does not taste the sweetness
Il forbidden fruit?
e. The bank was tempting rest
T. place; hunting in the orchard and
* the south wall had been firing wo