The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-03-28
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Gardener.

He saw them coming through the
gate on the Red Road-the major and
Shirley in lilac muslin by his side
and strobe to meet them. Behind
them Ranston propelled a hand-cart
filled with paper bundles from each Of
which protruded bunch of Towering
stems. There was flash in Shirley's
cheek as her hand lay in valiant's.
As for him, his eyes, like a wilful
drunkards, returned again and again,
between the majors compliments. to-
her face.
"You have accomplished wonders,
sab! had no idea so much could be
done in such a limited time. You
have certainly primped the old place
up. I could almost think I was look
ing at Damory Court in the sixties.
sah!"
That's quite the incest thing you
could have said. Major" responded
Valiant. But it needs the flowers"
He looked at Shirley with sparkling
eyes. How splendid of you to bring
them! feel like a robber."
with our bushels Of them? We
shall never miss them ut all. Have
you set out the others?'.
II have. indeed. Every one has
rooted. too. You shall see them" He
led the way up the drive till they
stood before the porch.
"Gad!" chuckled the major. "Who
would think it had been unoccupied
for three decades? At this rate. you'll
soon be giving dances, sab"
"Ah," said Valiant. "That's the very
thing want to suggest. The tourna-
ment comes of merit week, I under.
stand, and it's been the custom to
have ball that night. The tourney
ground is on this estate, and Damory
Court is handler than the Country
Club. Why wouldn't it be appropriate
to hold the dance here? The ground
floor rooms are in order. and If the
young people would put up with 1t, it
would be great pleasure to me, as
sure you.'
"Oh!" breathed Shirley. "That
would be too wonderful"
The major seized his hand and
shook it heartily. Il can answer for
the committee" he said. They'll
jump at it. Why, sab, the new gener.
alton has never set eyes inside the
house. It's a golden legend to them"
Then I'll go ahead with arrange.
ments."
He led them around the house and
down the terraces Of the formal gar
den, and here the majors encomiums
broke forth again. "You are going to-
take us old folks back, sah," he said
with real feeling. This garden in
its original lines was unique. It had q
piQuancy and q picturesqueness that,
thank God, are to be restored! One
can understand the owner Of an Cd.
tate like this having no desire to,
spend his life philandering abroad. We
all hope, sab, that you will recur to-
the habit Of your ancestors and count,
Damory Court home"
Valiant smiled slowly. RI don't
dream Of anything else." he said. my
life, as map it out, seems to begin
here. The rest doesn't count-onlyl
the years when was little and had
my father"
The major carefully adjusted his
eyeglasses. His head was turned
away. "Ah, yes" he said.
1.-THE last twenty years." continued
the other, from my present view.
point, are valuable mainly for con-
trast."
AS 0 consistent regimen Of patej
de foie gras," said Shirley physically, 1
makes one value bread and butter7''
He shook his head at her. "As star
walton makes one appreciate plenty;
The next twenty years are to be here.
But they hold sideHips. too. Nsv
and then there's . jannt back to the
city" .4
Contrast againf" shs asked intsg.
ssts1ly. -,