Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-10-16

that her scheme had worked admi-
rably. The little gate in the line fence
was wired shut, and Martha never sat
on the pleasant little south porch
which faced Delos Browns.
Martha Gilmore, with her broad hat
tied low over her face, worked every
day in the garden.
I've got to raise something for win
ter, or we will have to have help from
the town." she whispered over and
over. when her back ached and her
head felt dizzy from her unaccus-
toned labor.
And her garden did grow surpris-
ingly. Early one morning Martha
went out to look at the plants which
meaut so much to her.
Heading his Industrious flock among
her newly hoed rows was the strut
ting red rooster she had watched her
neighbor place in his chicken yard
few days before. All about lay her
tender young plants, torn and uproot-
ed"
"Oh, 60 away" cried Martha, help
lessly, waving her apron.
why, Miss Gilmore!" Delos Brown
stood aghast at the havoc he had un-
Willingly wrought 81 supposed | had
that park chicken-proof."
After much excitement they coaxed
and drove the flock back into their
own territory.
And now you must let me help you
repair the damages" he declared. for
getting in her apparent distress his
fear Of prying eyes and busy tongues.
To his establishment, Delos found
the girl very quiet and attractive. She
knew lot about gardening, too, and
seemed eager to learn more.
81 declare" he murmured on his
lonely porch of an evening. IL declare
| can't see why she Is brazen thing,
as Aunt Marietta seems to think.
guess that garden means great deal
to her-more than 1t ought to If
things we're comfortable over there"
He began thinking anxiously about
the long winter "The cottage needs
repairing to make 1t livable. / could
do it as well as not without much
expense. And always have more
wood from the farm than | can use.
hope she hasn't heard any Of Aunt
Mariette's foolish talk" he thought
Through the dim twilight he could
see Martha moving about the little
lawn.
Guess I'll go over. anyway" he
said aloud, since Aunt Martha's
sharp eyes could not penetrate the
darkness
II came to inquire about the gar.
den," he said, Ill at ease in her pres
ence. There was something fine In
Martha's manner. even in that hum.
BILE kitchen garden.
oh it is better than it ever was
before, thanks to you, Mr.. Brown. 1t
is really fortunate for me that my
chickens got into it,"
But can never quite replace 1t,
Miss Gilmore, and that is why |
want to do something else for you to
even things up little. The cottage
needs repairing before cold weather,
| can do it as well as not-in fact, !
ought to have done 1t before l let
you have It at all"
ooh MOI" cried Martha. what
would Miss Brown say"
$50 she has been talking to you?"
nAIn tnh
known it. Oh, you poor little girl"
Martha clasped her hands in the
darkness at the tenderness in his
,oice.
Ibid not mind" she whispered
With a sob.
mot mind?" He took her trem.
ling hands in his own. To his Joy she
lid not attempt to draw them away.
DO you know. Martha" he said
cry softly. "how man feels about
he girl he loves? He wants to pro-
ect her from everything that is un.
pleasant or difficult That Is why
annot endure your living in this poor
title house and working yourself to
eath in this garden. am glad the
ed rooster destroyed 1t, since he
pened the gate In the line fence. Let
8 be married tomorrow. Martha. 1t
5 going to cause sensation. and
'e may as well have it all over with
t once. And I want you so much !
ear"
ut is pity she protested, hesitat-
rs.
ut is not pity" he denied, taking =
err in his arms. 1T is love, Mar. b
ha."
The sewing circle met in Miss :
rown's parlors next afternoon.
"Delos Brown and Martha Gilmore h
re married." cried Luella, rushing !
1 excitedly.
Well said Aunt Mariette, compos-
dly, after one mental gasp. I've
aid from the day she moved into the t
leming cottage that this is what /
'ould come of it,"
Copyright, 1912. by Associated Literary [
Press) [