The Democratic advocate., 1909-06-04
In the Rose
Garden.
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.
copyrisalted. 1909 by Associated
Literary Press.
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.


AS the Rev. Beverly's garden was a
vegetable garden, he thought fearfully
of something sinfully trampling on his
succulent salads, and he rose hastily
Standing just behind the window shut
ter, he decided, however that a horse
would be shorter. dog taller, and he
did not believe in ghosts.
He went into the hall, took his hat
from the rack and stepped softly over
the threshold.
AS his footsteps sounded on the
gravel Of the path the white object
moved from the middle OF the garden
and fed. He heard the click OF the
gate and thea silence.
"Humr' mused the Rev. Beverly
and bent over his lettuce bed. "a
thief" he said as he Strengthened up.
The next morning a fuller investiga-
tion showed that there had been depre-
dations Of onions and radishes. But
the minister said nething to his house
Keeper Common thieves did not come
garbed in white nor were they OF slen-
der outline and graceful
The Rev. Beverly had no unusual
powers of penetration, but It had not
taken him many moments to decide
that the spoiler of his garden was n
woman.
"But why"-he debated the next
night as he finished his sermon-"why
should woman steal--a lady, ! am
sure, by the grace of her carriage
why should she steal my little onions
and my lettuce|
But all the wisdom OF the Scriptures
did not answer his question. And after
his sermon was finished he again
turned ont his light and sat in the
darkness Of his study.
And again, as he unused, he saw a
patch of white at the end Of the gar
den. Breathless he watched, and closer
and closer came the ghostly figure un.
til it stood just beneath his window.
Then a voice said, 81 have come to
pay you for the vegetables"
"Ohr' His usual readiness of speech
had forsaken the clergyman. ooh, /
beg your pardong'
''No, you needn't beg IT," the voice
said again. II picked some lettuce
and things last night, and here is the
money. 1t wasn't very conventional
way to go to market. but we wanted
salad, and
The Rev. Beverly, peering over the
sill. caught the sparkle in her eyes as
she made her half apology.
''You needed your salad late" he
said dryly
"Ah"-her little laugh ripplcd out
"think of my predlcamentl Some peo-
pie came from the city hungry, and
there was nothing I'm the house but
eggs. You see, ! am such new house
keeper-we came only yesterday--and
Susanne, my maid. forgets TO tell me
when things are out, and the shops
are so far awayso, while she made
an omelet | flew into your garden
and-and dew back and no one was
the wiser"
81 saw you," the Rev. Beverly In
formed her. "and thought you were
q thief
OH There was a little gasp. 1T
did look like II, didn't #? But, you
see, have brought the money" And
the silver glittered on the sill as she
spread It out before him
mo" the Rev. Beverly protested
'you are perfectly welcome TO any.
thing you care to take"
"Oh, but you must"-there was
note Of alarm In her because
should feel as II had stolen II am
not allowed TO pay"
He was smiling down at her. "You
can pay me by giving me n rose from
your garden" he said
"Why don't you have roses Of your
own" she demanded.
He sighed. Il hardly dare allow
myself the luxury. II Is cheaper TO
raise ones vegetables than to buy
them, and clergyman In small town
has to think of expenses"
II suppose" doubtfully, that your
salary is not larger
"No, but there are Donations" His
eyes twinkled.
"Such as roses?" She was laughing
up at him. The moonlight touched her
hair with gold. The pulses Of the Rev.
Beverly began to beat
MAY | come over some time and
walk with y0u In your rose garden r
he asked.
"Come now" was the quick re-
sponse.
He went, md 1t was the beginning
Of friendship.
"He is lovely" Constance confided to
her aunt, who had come up to her
niece's colonial mansion for the pur.
poses of chaperonage. @And he's here
2 in this little town because he feels that
he Is needed more than In city
charge where he could get much more
money"
constance" her aunt warned, ''don't
get romantic over a country parson."
"He has the dearest little cottage,
Constance mused. with a vegetable
garden. He sends over tomatoes and
parsley, and put roses In his button
hole. It's very interesting" she sighed
at may be tragic for him"
"why?"
"If you make him love you-what
them
"Wellr' Constance's tone was defiant
"You can't marry any one but War
rem Olmstead-"
"Constance's eyes flashed. II car
tool II l don't marry Warren, mere
ly lose my inheritance. don't deny
that love this old house, Aunt Anne
But did 1t ever occur to you that ]
might prefer man to fortuner'
You would miss the fortune" waE
the quiet answer. You were moi
made for love IN a cottage, Con
stance"