Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-27

there blooming rose or inhaling the
sweetness OF clambering jasmine
flower Her gardener. James. was
working among the potted plants In
cooler house.
How many red geraniums have You
now. James?" inquired his mistress.
About 800 plants, Miss Wilbur"
"And pansy plants-and sweet alys-
sunni"
About the same number. ma'am."
Set aside a hundred plants OF the
finest of each. Take two men over TO
the cottage and clean out the yard
thoroughly After that is done report
to me"
tits getting late. Miss Wilbur" hest
tated James respectfully.
''You will receive double wages for
overtime" she said coolly.
Eyes. ma'am." said James with alac-
rity.
Anne thrust a bunch of bright eyed
pansies into the laces of her bosom
and went back to the library. She
seated herself at the desk and wrote
a brief note to her agent.
please have the cottage thoroughly
repaired inside as well as out. Con-
suit the new tenants wishes regarding
paint and paper. Try to start the
work by next Monday"
Later in the evening James reported
the task accomplished and received
other orders from his mistress. some OF
which seemed impossible of accom-
plishment, but Anne Wilbur possessed
a magic tool that could achieve aston
ishing results, and for the first time
she realized the value OF the gold
which had always been hers and which
she had accepted as her natural birth
right.
Before Anne retired that Saturday
night she peeped once more through
the window that overlooked the cot
tage yard. 1t was almost midnight,
and the little house was dark. but
there were sbadowy forms moving
about the yard. and occasionally there
was the clink of shovel against stone.
Anne drew back with a satisfied smile.
and as she mounted the broad stairs to
her room she hummed a little tune I'M
der her breath.
Call me at 6. Marie" she said when
she dismissed her maid.
At o'clock on Easter morning Anne
looked eagerly from the library win
dow toward the cottage. A strange
Transformation had taken place over
night, for the trusty James had done
his work well.
Instead of the squaiid disorder OF the
bare. CRASHES yard there was a COW
ering of fine green turf. Quantities Of
rich brown earth had been formed into
flower beds all around the house. Beds
of glowing red geranlums were massed
here and there, while gorgeous pansies
filed every available space that was
not occupied by snowy sweet alyssum.
1t was like the transformation scene
in a pantomime.
The back door Of the cottage opened,
and Anne almost heard the cry of
amazement that burst from the lips of
Marcia Rodman and her little girl.
The mother stared with unbelieving
eyes, while the child danced with de-
light among the flowers and then dis
appeared around the path that led to
the front of the cottage.
"Oh, mother" Anne heard her cry;
Its splendider in front than IT is I'm
back It's the beautifulest place we
ever lived in"
The little mother pressed hand
kerchief TO her sweet eyes, and Anne
saw her approach the fence where
James had presented a placidly inter
ested countenance. he had been in
structed TO say that his mistress wish
ed the grounds to be beautiied for
Easter and that he was to take care
OF them.
Anne saw the widows eyes f1ll with
grateful tears as she turned them to-
ward the big house. and then she knelt
down on the dewy grass and buried
her face in the fragrant alyssum.
Anne knew that she was praying. She !
was probably asking Gods blessing on |
Anne Wilbur's proud head.
Then a transformation came over |
Anne Wilbur's heart until IL bios |
somed like the barren cottage garden. |
Tears filled her gray eyes, and through |
the tears she seemed TO see herself |
grown stronger, more tolerant more |
pitiful. She saw herself making the !
way smooth for Jack Rodman's wife |
and child. and the brightness OF the |
Easter sunshine seemed 20 fall all
about her until she was enveloped In !
a golden food of happiness.