The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-29
GARDENS AND THE GIRL
1v HARMONY WELLER.

Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
The gardens in the little suburban
village that nestled at the foot Of the
Chiltern hills were beginning to show
the lack Of care. The war had robbed
those tiny cottages and left them
stripped of masculine hands. Wives
land mothers and sisters who were
left behind to grieve and toll had no
time for gardening when there were
children to care for and homes to
keep tidy against the day when the
soldiers would once again be well
coined back.
However, there was one pair OF
masculine hands in the village that
might not fire shots at the enemy
because his physical body had been
found far too, weak to stand the siren
uous life Of the battlefield. George
Bassington grieved sorely that he was
unfit to go with his fellow men to
fight the great fight, but he realized
there must be some way in which he
could be of service to those left be-
hind.
81 could take care of those gar
dens," he pondered as he walked
through Laurel lane and witnessed the
condition Of growing things Perhaps
it will help the struggling women as
much as the outdoor work will bene-
fit my own body"
At the end of two weeks George
Bassington had done wonders with
six small gardens. Flowers again
raised joyful heads, vines clambered
over gate posts and vegetables con-
tinued to add table necessities to the
six tables.
There was one house on Laurel
lane that Bassington took infinite care
over and that one was the home of
James Holiday Bassington realized
that because Of the inmate he found
himself lured there in spite of him.
self. He supposed the fair woman
within to be the wife of Holiday be-
cause she tended Holidays two tiny
children and seemed ever busy with
household cares. So busy was she
that Bassington had never, during his
, short stay in the garden, had more
, than a word or two Of conversation
with her.
Il can hardly ask her If she is Holi-
days wife," laughed the temporary
. gardener to himself.
As weeks slipped past Bassington
began to regain the health that had
escaped him. The recruiting Offices
would not turn him back again, he
> felt, and with that thought in view
he once again went into town In or
{ der to offer himself for active service.
This time he was not sent away
from his medical examination with
dropping head. He had been accepted
for active service and he was to Join
his old regiment and leave for the
I front with them.
It was with joyful heart that he
approached the little cottages in Lau.
rel lane and told each Of his now ex.
cellent friends Of his success. It was
going to be q trifle difficult to tell
Jim Holidays wife, and as he dropped
the shining brass knocker Of her door
, he braced himself as II for the first
!. volley Of shot from the enemy.
|, Once inside the trim little house
. Bassington looked long and earnest
; ly at the fair girl who seemed ever
to elude his level glance.
> II am going to the 'front.'" he said
, In his Straightforward manner, "and
!. I wanted to tell you that have ar
4 ranged for another man to care for
i. the gardens. I am of on Saturday"
J.. "Oh!" gasped the girl, then you
!. are not a shirker! have been think.
I ing you wore a coward not to enlist
q when all our brave brothers and hus.
= bands have gone to fight for U.s."
A deep flush spread even up to his
;. temples at the girls words.
4 Il am sorry you thought me a
q shirker, Mrs. Holiday" was all he
!. said.
n The quick apology in Jean Holidays
v eyes was mingled with amused sur.
r prise.
d But I am not Mrs. Holiday" she
told him, II am Jim's sister. MRS.
\ Holiday has gone down to be near Jim
n as long as possible before he goes to
!. the front. He's in camp now"
v mot anybody's wife," questioned
q Bassington and realized that he would
y change that situation when he re-
n turned from the war. II am sorry
r. you thought me a shirker," he said,
. "and that | thought you a wife and
mother. Otherwise we might have
spent many wonderful hours here in
!. the shadow of the Chiltern hills
- just you and l."
1.-THE hills will always be here"
;. Jean said with dainty frankness, be-
:, cause she had loved Bassington in
=. spite Of herself, Il, too, expect to be
= here-when you return"
~ May that day be soon," Bassington
said, and took both Of her proffered
= hands in warm clasp and raised
~ them in turn to his lips Until that
- day." he added softly.
Both in Sad Condition.
ed Sublime satisfaction in ones own