The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-09-27
g 8 5 : : s : 5 8 vs.
Yrginia's Vegetable Garden
BY Temple Bailey

him or talked with him on the wide
moments of ecstasy as she felt In
these brief meetings with Mark at the
division line OF the two gardens.
Somehow In her mind Mark seemed
associated with the woods, the blue
sky and the sunshine. She knew II
she married the doctor she would
have to live In town. shut up In the
big house that had come to him from
his grandfather. On the other hand.
however, II she married the doctor he
would give her the pretty things her
soul craved, for even as Virginia loved
the pink and white of the orchard and
the blue OF the sky. so she loved the
daintiness Of silken gowns and the
sparkle Of jewels.
Therefore that night when the doc
tor asked her to marry him, Virginia
put him off with timid half-promise.
81 must think about It," she said
and went to bed to lie awake and
wonder If she could live the rest OF
her life In the dim old house In town.
with man she did not love.
In the morning she went out early
to work in the garden. She could hear
Marks whistle. but even when he
called Good morning" she did not go
to the fence. Her broad hat hid her
burning cheeks and her hands trem-
bled as she dug around her radishes.
Presently Mark came closer and
called. Come here. Virginia"
There was a masterful note in the
voice which she had never heard be-
fore. She rose and went to him.
Virginia" he said, abruptly. they
say In the village that you are going
to marry the doctor"
Virginias face famed. But | am
not" she cried. and in moment she
was transformed. Like flash 1t had
come to her what 1t would mean to
put Mark out of her life; what 1t
would mean to have the spring go and
summer come without these moments
of happy meeting.
Il am not, Mark" she said again.
why, you" Then her voice died
away She could not tell him what
she thought of him. That was the
| mans part Mark looked down at her.
II know what you want to say, Vir-
ginia," he told her, gently, and
wish you would say 1t. 1t seems as
II l had no right to ask you to love
me and to marry me. But you won't
be happy with the doctor--you won't
be happy with anybody but me. Vir-
ginia."
1t was the serene assertion of the
man who knew that he had met his
mate. Virginia knew, too, that there
was nothing of conceit. nothing to Of
fend, in his sense of security. She
was his, as he was hers. and no one
should separate them.
Miss Cornelia, unconscious of the
awakening Of the young people. came
down the path and across the garden
to play the part of cruel fate. She
had ruled Virginia in everything fol
years and she meant to rule her still
virginia, go back to the house.
won't have you idling in the vegetable
garden she said.
Aunt Cornelia, am going to MARI.
, Mark" Virginia returned, calmly.
, 1t was useless after that for Mis-
COrnelia to protest. to buster. t
: plead; Virginia had made up her mind
r She loved the out Of doors and sh
( loved Mark She said it over an
. over again. And I am to have a flow
n er garden, Aunt Cornelia." was all tn
9 answer she would make to the oil
t lady's arguments when they had lei
J. Mark and were in the house ono
D more
8 But you will never be happy.
o Aunt Cornelias tone was tragic.
It Virginia pondered for a momen
n then she said. Are you happy. Aur
Cornelia?'
t. Aunt Cornelia stared. She had nc
Q thought of 1t that way.
l. when l am with Mark" Virgini
d said, 81 see beauty in everything.
9 was he who first made me see tn
wonderful things in my vegetabl
It garden. When you wouldn't let m
a grow flowers he found me crying
% the orchard under the apple tree. an
\ he showed me the beauty of usef1
things. Out of'the little things of III
,. he gets so much that Is interestin
% and wonderful, and you never shove
" me any beauty, Aunt Cornelia
4 The old woman knew that it W,
~ true. Things had been commonplace
to her always. To Virginia life wou
- never be commonplace II she marie
"a Mark. She rose and went to the wi
dow
10 well. suppose you will do as W
- like. Virginia." she said. drearily.
az Virginia came and stood beside he
nt Cant 1t be as you like, too?" Su
denly her arms went around the O
n. lady's neck. her fair head lay on Il
spare old bosom. the young ely
10 looked into hers with love In them
And at that look Miss Cornell
IA melted. But she was not one to she
on her feelings, and although her ar
ha frightened about the slender form S
said, grimly, We'll, guess you W
NV have to do as you like, Virginia, a
on when you and Mark come to live wi
nv me In this big old house we will pla