The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-06-29
In the Rose
Garden.
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press
By VIRGINIA BLAIR.


moon that Beverly Alden; musing on
his sermon in the darkness OF his
study, beheld from the window some
thing white moving in his garden.
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 jnst behind the window shut
ter. he decided, however. that Il horse
would be shorter, dog taller, and he
did not believe in ghosts.
he went into the hail. took his but
from the rack and stepped softly over
the threshold.
AS his footsteps sounded on the
gravel Of thcSpath the white object
moved from the middle Of the garden
and fed. He heard the click Of the
gate and then silence.
"Humw mused the Rev. Beverly
and bent over his lettuce bel. "a
thief" he said as he Strengthened up.
The next morning fuller lnvestlSa-
tion showed that there had been depre-
dations of onions and raoishes. But
the minister said nothing to his house
keeper. Common thieves did not come
garbed in white. nor We're 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 de"ide
that the spoiler OF his garden was q
woman.
"But why"-he debated the next
night as he finished his sevmon-"why
Should wc;nan Steal-a lady. I am
sure, by the grace of her carriage
why should she steal my little onions
and my lettuce!"
But all the wi@dn,n of the Scriptures
did not answer his question. And after
his sermon was finished he again
turned, out his light aud sat IN the
darkness Of his study.
and again. as be mused. he saw a.
patch of white at the end OF the gar
den. Breathlcss he watched. and closer
nad closer came rhe ghostly figure m.
I'll it stuod just beneath his window.
Then voice said. II have come to
pay you for the vegetables"
"Ohr' His usual readiness Of speech
had forsaken the clergyman ooh. I
beg your pardon"
'sNo, you needn't beg it, the voice
said again. II picked some lettuce
and things last night. and here is the
money II wasn't n very conventional
way to 60 to market. but we wanted
q salad, and
The Rev. Beverly. peering over the
sill. caught the sparkle in her eyes as
she made her half apology.
'sYou needed your salad late" be
said dry'y.
"Ah"-her little laugh rippled out
ssthlnk Of my predicament! Some peo-
pie came from the city hungry. and
there was nothing in the house but
sggA You see. am such new house
keeeer-we came only yesterday-and
Suzanne, my maid, rorgets to tell me
when things are ont, and the shops
ara so far away-so, while she made
an omelet ! few into your garden
and-and few back and no one was
the wiser"
ssI saw you" the Rev. Beverly in-
formed her. land thought you were
thief"
'tOhw There was little gasp. "It
did look like It. didn't It? But, you
see, have brought the money" And
tue silver glittered on the sill as she
speead 1t out before him.
'.No." the Rev. Beverly protested;
"you are perfectly welcome to any
taing you care to take"
"Oh, but you nust'-there was a
note Of alarm IN her voice-"Eecause
l should feel as If had stolen IL am
not allowed TO pay"
LIE was smiling down at her. You
can pay me BY giving 'ne 4 rose from
your garden" Ee said.
"Why don't you have roses OF your
own" she Commanded
Ie sighed. i hardly dare allow
myself the luxury. 1t is cheaper to
raise ones vegetables than to buy
them, and clergyman in small town
hns to think Of expenses"
81 suppose" doubIfu!ly. TINT your
aaiary Is no, .argc?"
"No, but there are donations" His
eyes twinkled.
"Such as roses" She was laughing
IN at him The moonlight touched her
hair with gold The pulses Of the Rev.
Beverly began TO beat.
May l come over Suule time and
walk with you in your rose GarLeu?"
he asked.
Come now" was the quick re-
aa.onse.
He went. and 1t was the beginning
Of friendship.
''He Is lovely" Constance cnndd"d f"
her aunt, who had come up ~ her
niecSS colonial mansion for tn" pur
t.OseS OF claperonagc. AID he's h"rr
In this little town because he feels lsac
h Is needed more than in Il 'ity
charge where he could get much more
money
Constance" her aunt waruCd don't
get romantic over a country parSv!.
'-Ie has the dearest little cottage.
Constance nuScd, with a vegetable
garden He sends over tolltoeS and
parsley. ard put roses II his button
h,.sc. It's very interesting" sl,r sighed.
ut may hr tragic for him
HW1,v2"