The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-01

forts to produce at least the sem
blance of a garden, Duane sensed a
| feeling akin to awe that happiness ex-
! listed where beauty and luxury played
no part. He glanced from his little
| neighbors piteous attempt at home
/ making to his own completed haven,
with its wealth of beauty. luxury and
comfort. Something within him snap
ped
He was half irritated, wholly dis
concerted, by a sudden lack of con-
tentment He brooded darkly over the
| mere fact that a stray alley cat had
of his nefghbor; he felt aggrieved that
her canary in the broken cage on the
porch sang more joyously than his
| own golden songster, and when one
day bevy of little waits came to her
house and sent peals of Childish laugh
ter floating over the high privet hedge
Duane's state OF mind bordered on jeal-
Onsv.
The GROWING grievance came when
he discovered his great collie ROD
sinking guiltily back home after
stolen visit with the little neighbor.
ing taken many of his choice slips
over the scanty garden next door, but
Duane could find no place for con-
domination.
His new book progressed beyond
his expectations. There seemed to be
more warmth and vital life in it's
pages than in his former works. Con-
trary to his dark forebodings, a neigh
Dor had not disturbed his train OF
thought. He had never spoken to the
little drab colored woman, nor had he
attempted to fathom the spirit of hap
piness that seemed to hover over her
every hour.
During the heat of the summer.
Duane was compelled to move his ham,
mock from the veranda to the summer
house at the foot of the garden. En-
joying physical movement after his
hours of writing, he carried the step
ladder down to the yine-hung arbor in
order to put the hammock screw into
the high post.
In The garden next door, close be-
side the privet hedge, the little neigh
Dor started back suddenly. A loud crash
smote her ears. She looked quickly in
the direction whence the sound had
come, then sped like a fawn up along
the privet hedge to the spot where an
opening permitted her body to squeeze
through. She went swiftly toward the
summer house and looked in.
When Duane regained consciousness
there was steady pounding beneath
something infinitely soft upon which
his head rested. He did not open his,
eyes Immediately lest he lose the con-
tentment that was him. Had he en-
tered another land? Was an angel Wis
liant stroking his eyes with rose petals?
These were the questions that waited
over Duane's mind before he tempted
the Illusion by opening his eyes,
The little neighbor sighed in relief
Your temple struck the stone cop
ing" she said.
Duane could only look up in won
der1nent at the big drab colored eyes
above him. They seemed fathomless
and Duane stroye to dispel a feeling %
surrender that possessed him While
he looked faint tinge of color swept
into the cheeks that were neither rose
pink nor yet softly white.
In reality Duane drew up into a sit
ting position, but in his thoughts he
had taken the drab figure close into his
arms and was holding her there away
from every one else in the world. He
laughed whimsically at his own predic
ament. while the women of his imagin-
alton trafled by him in their beauty
and wit and charm and laughed mock
ingly at the slim drab figure beside
MIN. But the great author only locked
through and beyond them to q future
made suddenly big and wonderful.
The little neighbor glanced up at him
Apparently she understood, for a slow
smile dawned in her eyes-(Copyright
1917, by Associated Literary Press.1