New-York tribune., 1912-07-14

81 have always thought the COOK kept IL qulIe neat
out here" Anna demurred, looking round her IN mid
ernris stretch of bare EARTH swept daily clothes
line a lone tree, and disused croquet ground con-
frOncd her.
"Not shrub, not a vine, not a blossom, Penelope
insisted "You We a nice lawn in 'front.' but here at the
rear is the abominaton of desoaton where there should
be the soul Of home, your retiring ground your pa
vion from the strife Of tongues.
Good gracious, Pensy! one would think was Iiying
in a nest of magpcS instead of having dear old lady
across the street and reclusc on the other SIDE III
turn the yard over to you, Child but | warn YOU
that gardening is an expensive tad
III had but two loaves of bread in the world,
should sell one Of them and buy narcissi to feed my
soul Don't groan Anna, and say that you've read
that in every Gardening Number this spring 1t always
makes me feel if must stretch out hand across the
centuries to grasp Mahomets lean brown one and give
il a good American shake.
Thcv were strolng near the stone WALL and Pcnclopes
clear voice might have been heard on the other side
The wall with its ivy crown was over SIX feet high, SO
that no one could see over it on uptoc.
Penelope had spent the winter since she left college
with her brother in New York, pursuing her music and
rcvcing in the thcater. Her hasistcr, Anna Rcadc,
was many years older than she, and gave almost ma
ernal tenderness TO the young girl Rcadc business re-
CURED his coming South to live OF those pleasant,
hospitable places, just between a city and town.
VOU never knew such Kindness has been shown us,
PcnSy, Anna went on to say. Everybody has been
50 naighborly the only exception being the man who
lives next door. He is Mr.. Lawrence the illustrator
and he spends nearly half the year here in the old home
he inherited from his grandparents He has the rcpu
ta ION OF being very reserved.
Penelope had hardly heard a word after the name
"Iohn Pcyton Lawrence she gaspcd. Next door
Somehow I've never thought Of him rs IN actual human
being who could fuss if his coffee cold
why, what DO YOU know OF him.;
"rs work and that is enough 10 know. All the years
was at college had his pictures my wall. simply
loathc those narrow-cycd women with gorgeous gowns
and men kissing their nccks!' Penelope declared with
more force than grace But the Lawrence girls the
kind love: strong and 1.-the beautiful and well brcd
not ornaments intoXicants, but splendid, natural
wholesome womcn Sunshine and dew and outdoors
and the old faiths are in their makeup
Anna gave her customary, Good gracious, Pensyi'
and added after moments thought, Though I've
never met Mr.. Lawrence, will say this for him-he
doesn't raise chickens. My other ncighbor does and
thcy scratch up my lawn
WHEN Rc9dc came home one afternoon he found
w bags OF bone meal and kegs OF lime in the freshly
plowcl back yard, and old Uncle ISum with his tools
lsn preached Sundays and held in great rcpute
10y his coorcd brethren; but week days he pursued
the ave. alton of gardener.
The scene OF Poncopcs activities graccl by a
new bench under the lone tree Anna there darnng
pa,dly, while Penelope d'ss"ctcl a seed catalogue
Its the right time 20 plant sweet peas isn't it,; she
asked her brother in law I've marked ever 50 many
shades, because they look like bright varicolorcd but
tcri,s, and DO love them.
Pearl blush, pcppcrcI with carninc dots, wings