Middletown transcript., 1914-08-29
Copyright A. C. MeciurR q Co.. 1914
BY WEBSTER DENISON

That's the last load. Did you see
what they brought it in?"
"Yes, where's the van?"
They couldn't get it up here. You'll
have to settle with the men. They
said there would be an extra charge
for the wagon"
He went out to conclude negotia.
tions. Presently he called her:
Jane, come out and look over the
estate. bought some seeds and Pm
going to start a garden tomorrow. And
see, DEAR" he said as they locked arms
and strolled down the path, bordered
on either side by new, scraggly box
hedge. Il brought something for you. .
From bulging pocket he drew out
packages Of seeds and bulbs.
Flowers of all kinds, honey!-jon-
Quils, hyacinths, daffodils-"
why, foolish" she interrupted with
laugh, they won't grow this year. ="
Then, as she saw his crestfallen look:
'But never mind; did some bad man
impose on my little city boy? Well
plant them and just make them grow.
What are these? Nasturtiums, pan
sizes, sweet peas-that's more like it;
and I'm just crazy for whole bed
Of saliva"
And so they talked and planned and
selected the sites for the beds, and
Jane, who was much better versed in
such matters than her urban husband,
told him what would have to be done
with the soil, barren, sandy forma-
ton that would scarcely noUrish a sun
flower.
He ran into the house for his garden
seeds, whole array of the suburban
ties delights from radishes to musk
melons. He had enough for q small
farm. BY the time they had decided
where the domain of practical hus-
bandry should end and that of the
flowers begin, it was dark
'1f the lord chancellor of my Gull
nary hosts pleases, I'm hungry,S she
informed him. Lets kill the fatted
sirloin and make merry. If all those
seeds Of yours grow well have to turn
vegetarians later, SO we had better
whet our appetites on beef"
"AIl right" he told her as they
reached the veranda, you Just sit here
and when dinners all ready I'll an
nounce it."
But in a minute he had surrendered
and was calling her.
Where in the world are things,
Jane? The kitchen utensils, l mean.
I've opened three boxes and l haven't
struck anything but books and linen"
They found the needed box under
two trunks and pile of pictures. He
got it open and led her back to the
porch. He cleared the table and set it
and then. he was back to her again.
THE icebox is locked, Jane. Have
you got the key?"
She found it in her bag.
"Oh, Bop" she said in tones presag-
ing real calamity, there isn't bit of
bread"
Never mind, I'll get some," he an
swered. There's store right down
at the car line"
But that's three blocks. Maybe
one of the neighbors would help us
out in an emergency"
I'D rather not ask the first day. I'll
only be minute, Jane"
Soon after he returned she scented
the welcome aroma Of coffee and a
broiling steak and in a minute he
called her.
With a kitchen towel stuck under
his collar and a face as red as sto-
ker's he held a chair for her and bade
her to the board.
There, how is that, my lady?" he
asked proudly. Gould the Waldorf's
famous Oscar do any better? Eat,
drink and be-"
Sleepy" she finished for him. 81
just know I'm going to collapse right
here when my hunger's satisfied, for
Bob, Pm tired, and it's such a Job to
put up bed"
'I'll fix that, honey. Never felt bet
ter in my life why, if had lantern
I'd go out and start my garden after
l get you tucked away"
They sat over the coffee talking and
planning.
There was a knock at the door.
Good Lord, who's that?" said Bob.
TITS nearly nine o'clock"
Il don't know, but If it's Dick or
any of your friends, just know I'll
insult them, Bob. I'm nearly dead"
"Sh-h," he answered. 'Tll 60"
@Good EVENING"" said a CHEEKY,
though rather high-pitched voice as he
opened the door. 81 saw you moving
in and I thought I'd drop around to
see If there was anything could do.
I'm Mrs. Collins from up at the next
cotts ge. Bungalow, James called it
when we came here, but that was
two years ago"
TITS awfully kind of you to call,
said Reynolds. Things are in ter
rible mess here, but you won't mind,
I'm sure"
He offered her chair. Mrs. Collins
opined she wouldn't mind Her ap-
pearance buttressed her assertion that
she usually took things as they were.
an easy-going, buxom sort;
of good figure, but slightly passe 9th
erwise as to personal charms and con-
comitant adornment Her skirt of
black serge was tight fitting and
rather modish in cut, but soiled in
places. Her white shirt-waist was
open at the collar and tucked under,
revealing throat full and round, but
red Her hands matched this color
and we're coarse in texture. Her