The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-04-21
CContinued.)


The fact that Vernon loved garden
ing, and was we'll up in the subject,
was one of the strongest of the
threads which bound Aunt Emma SO
strongly, SO devotedly, to her. She
had come at the right time of year,
when every day was full of new beau
ties. and she watched the unfolding
of the wine-colored copper beech, the
passing OF the lilac, the sudden blush
OF loneliness when the red hawthorns
lowered, all along the park border
the dropping wells of fire formed
by the laburnums; and now the fash
ing splendor of plantations of rhodo-
dendrons which were hard to beat,
even in Yeoshire. There were one
or two disastrous frosts, but on the
whole it had been a genial season.
The peas and strawberries were hur-
rying along, the rose-trees were all
abud-in fact, the wonderful OLD
Gloire de Dion had been in flower
this month past-and the whole earth
was full of promise-crammed with
beauty. like a royal procession, each
battalion that marched past being
but an earnest of those to follow.
To Vernon it was like an exquisite
symbol of the growth and Towering
within herself. Her entrance into
the new life of Carronlea had been
stormy, wild and adventurous. SO
had her baptism into the art Of try
ing to do something for the raising
and uphoIding of her fellow-creat-
ures. But in both cases, the stress
had been followed by a calm. Other
babies. of origin less agitating than
the Fletcher twins came into being
among the Wishfield brickfields. Yer
non honestly set herself to learn from
Father Conroy and Evelyn all that
they could teach. She tried to work
and she tried to pray. The result
OF such an effort was inward growth.
AS to Lionel, he had followed up mis-
violent letter with one full of humil-
ity and apology. He knew he was
treating her unfairly. She had gone
with his consent-by his wish. She
must make proof of a world without
him in it. Only he implored her not
10 forget him. His unexpected sub
mission caused her to decide not to
speak of him to Evelyn as she had at
first intended. She told herself. that
~ ell q -
and not sentimental girl with a. love
affair to be confided to her friend at
the first opportunity. She went over
to the Mission twice week, and the
intimacy between the two ripened
quietly but steadily.
Since their ride home together Jem
had been kinder and more subdued.
She sometimes thought that some Sc
cret trouble or anxiety hung over him
His manner was depressed, so that
Aunt Emma, who knew him better
than she did. had remarked upon
Jem's quietness. Vernon was sorry
TO think that he was in bad spirits.
but as it was not at all likely that she
could help him out of them, she
thought il best to leave him alone
though showing always a friendliness,
and a willingness to converse if he
seemed inclined to do so, which was
very rarely.
Mrs. Trent had been away to Paris
with her husband, so that she had
ceased from troubling. The girt in
evitably connected Jem's depression
with her absence.
The combination of circumstances
had resulted in condition of peace
and content which the fine weather
fostered. AS she stood that day in
the garden in the sunshine, Vernon
was as full of health and gayety and
joy of youth, as any human thing
might well be.
The sound of distant voices. calling
her name, drew her up from her
STOPPING position with her hands full
Of the aromatic white pinks.
Here, Here she cried. Kitchen
garden" and in a minute or two, in
the oblong formed in the messy brick
wall by the open gate, stood the figure
of Selma, followed by that of her
brother
'-Auntie. Here are the Umfravilles,"
cried Vernon; and moved forward be-
tween the brilliant rows of parrot tu-
lips which edged the herbaceous bor-
der of the main walk.
Miles often afterwards thought Of
the picture she made-in her long
green pinafore, and pale rose hat,
with her dark hair and white posy,
coming with the quick glad step of