The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-03
The Eueni,,g Story

I / The E0eni,,a Story
Delinquent David.
(By Harmony Weller)
David Greer had no idea, when he
rented small villa in q Long Island
suburb, that nc was going to be tied
down to restrictions. Certainly he
would have locked further for his tiny
fact.
David was not fond of gardening
and could not assume an interest in his
property. even II all his neighbors did
glover darkly at him for his lack of
concern regarding the bit of yard in
front Of his house.
| He knew that he was the black
sheep In the suburb and that another
tenant was far moro desirable than he
was. David did not. however. worry his
| head over his shortcomings, nor did
he feel in any way upset over the dis
graceful aspect Of his garden, when on
every side OF him were exquisite specf-
mems Of artistic home gardening.
Of the small properties in the suburb
in which David had rented a cottage.
Thornton cottage is a blot on our
village" was the general comment
among the suburban home owners, but
neither David nor his old housekeeper
did anything tn remove the blot.
| Mrs. Mcpherson felt that she had
enough to do in looking after David's
socks and cooking him tasty meals
and keeping tie inside of his house
side.
1t was not until the neighbors talked
of signing a petition for having him
elected that Drucilla Everett took a
hand in the affairs of David Greer.
| 1T is shame" she said to her moth
er, and there were red spots In lovely
| cheeks, that a man should be put
out Of his coy little home merely be-
| cause he doesn't take care Of his gar
den. All people can't be expected to
be mad about flowers. I won't sign
the petition, for one."
Nor l." conceded Drucilla's mother.
She did not think it necessary to in
form her daughter that admiration of
David Greer's stalwart good looks waa
in measure responsible for her antaG-
onism toward the neighbors who would
| evict him. He has as much right to
his faults as any Of u.s.
So 1t was over the low back fence
that Drucilla told David's housekeeper
all about the suburbanites' intentions
regarding her master.
They'll no. eject my bonnie ladder
expostulated Mrs. Mcpherson in right
eous Scotch wrath. Hes that busy In
his office the day that he's no time to
be pottering about a garden"
That's just the way I feel said
Drucilla. while she smiled her sweetest
smile into Mrs. McPherson's motherly
eyes. Il was wondering she contin-
ued coaxingly, whether or not Mr..
Greer would let me plant his front gar
den for him. I love flowers SO much,
and our own space is very tiny" She
waited breathlessly for her answer.
There was grave doubt in the wom-
ans eyes, coupled with q desire not to
thwart the charming girl in the SUM-
bonnet.
He'd no. like to have a girl make
his garden for him-that I KEN" she
said finally: but If you could manage
without him knowing who did IT"
Drucilla did not allow her to finish
but smiled happily
work when he leaves for the office In
the morning. and when he returns
tOh-I will have a perfect bower Of flow
ers to greet him"
Mind you don't let him see you.'
cautioned Mrs, Mcpherson. He'd be
that angry with me I'd sure lose my
place. She well knew that David
lcould not manage without her, since
she had been with him since cradle
days. but she considered it well to warn
the girl into secrecy.
Fortune favored Drucflla to a re-
1
called away on a short business trip
and while the cat was away the mouse
did certainly play. The small garder
was dug up and fertilized and planted
with blooming flowers that were vel
nourished and tended before David re.
turned.
Drucilla was standing behind the
j. easement curtains of her own tiny
cottage when the delinquent came bach
to his native suburb and saw the trans
formation that had been wrought. His
eyes took on a hint of flame and his
square-cut profile assembled. Drucilla
4 watched these warlilke signs and hel
heart beat rapidly. She did not stoI
to realize that David would not know
who had Gone the deed. and that hi.
wrath would not ind vent on her owr
head.
Mag he said as he entered the
house and found Mrs. Mcpherson
awaiting him. what person has as
sumed the right to put my garden IL
order? Did you countenance such i'm
pertinence?''
The old Scotchwoman had never
seen her master 50 angry, and she
strove to pacify him in her usua
wheedling manner. but for once David
Of the threat Of eviction and the
kindly interference Of neighbor hi
was only the more angry.
II believe I am paying for this
property. Mag. and no one shall die.
tate to me whether have a garden
or not I will pull every one of thoat
flowers up by the roots and flin9 their
in the street. These people viii SEE
whether or not can run my own at.
fairs" He strobe out of the house ii
If he would suit action to words.
D.~k TS~~ Al. II