The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-01-05
GARDENS AND The GIRL
BY HARMONY WELLER.

The gardens IN the little suburban
village that nestled at the foot Of the
Chiltern hills we're beginning TO show
the lack Of care. The war had robbed
those tiny cottages and left them
stripped of masculine hands Wives
and 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 vel
coined back.
However. there was one pair of
masculine hands in the village that
might not fire shots ct the enemy
because his physical body had been
found far too weak to stand the siren
uous life of the battlefield George
Washington 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 ia which he
could be of service to those left be-
hind
Il could take care of those gar
dens," he pondered as he walked
through Laurel lane and witnessed the
condition of growing things. Perhaps
it viii 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-
tfnued 10 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 Bassingtnn had never, during his
short stay in the garden, had more
/ than a word or two of conversation
with hsT.
Il can hardly ask her il she is Holt
days wife" laughed the temporary
! SdFueueF 10 Hlns6iI
/ As weeks slipped past Bassington
began to regain the health that had
escaped him. The recruiting Offices
would not turn him back again, he
i 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
front with them.
It was with joyful heart that be
approached the little cottages. in Lau.
rel lane and told each of his now ex-
cellent friends Of his success. 1t was
going to be a tri1e difHcuIt to tell
Jim Holidays wife, and as he dropped
: the shining brass knocker of her door
: he braced himself as if for the first
voIIey of shot from the enemy.
/ Once inside the trim little house
Bassington looked long and earnest
~ at the fair girl who seemed eyel
to elude his level glance.
sT am going to. the front" he sait
in his straightforward manner, "ane
I wanted to tell you that ] have ar
t ranged for another. pan to care fol
!. the gardens ] am OF on Saturday.
: OH" gasped the girl, then yot
! are not a shirker! / have been think
Z ing you were a coward not to enlis
: when all our brave brothers and hus
: bands have gone to fight for US.
1 A deep flush spread even up to hi
S temples at the girls words.
e Il am sorry you thought me
i, shirker, Mrs Holiday" was all b
!; said.
The quick apology in Jean Holiday
eyes was mingled with amused SUI
prise.
! "But I am not Mrs. Holiday" sh
: told him, 81 am Jim's sister Mrs
Holiday has gone down to be near Jir
as long as possible before he goes t
}. the front. He's in camp now"
+ Not anybody's wife," question:
Bassington, and realized that he wouI
change that situation when he n
turned from the war. Il am sorr
: you thought me a shirker," he sale
: and that thought you wife an
4 u1OL4EI. OLnCA NAcO NC AA44GA( ur4f
spent many wonderful hours here
the shadow of the ChiItern hills
just you and ]"
r aThe hills will always be here
Jean said with dainty frankness, b.
!? cause she had loved Bassington
spite of herself, Il, too, expect to /
N here-when you return"
~ May that day be soon." Bassingtc
= said, and took both of her profere
:; hands in a warm clasp and raise
4 them in turn to his lips. Until tn;
n. day" he added softly.
w
St -. :. - nI.s.