The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-03-27
IN THE TRENCHES
BY DOROTHY BLAcKMORE.

SssHs.HHHHsHHHHHSHHHHH4HHS
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa- |
per SyndicateD
THE enemy is in your trenches |
again, Sis" cried Teddy Herbert to
his sister, who had not yet come down |
to breakfast
Dear, dear!" he heard her exclaim,
and then he heard hurried footsteps
and saw Matte run downstairs, pick
up a coat that was lying on chair
in the hall, and slam the front door
after her.
Four sixty-foot trenches lay open
at the side of the Herbert home, and
Matte was running back and forth
chasing away the neighbors' chickens.
The fresh fertilizer which had been
placed so carefully in each of the
trenches was scattered everywhere,
and dismay was written all over the
girls face when she turned to come
into the house.
Its a shame!" she said, as she
took her place at the table, breathing
hard, but looking as fresh as rose
after her exercise in the invigorating
March air. And this one year when
had counted so much on my sweet
peas and have followed directions so
carefully What shall l do, mother?"
Shoot the chickens" suggested
Teddy.
This isn't the war; Teddy" his
sister said, squelchingly. These are
sweet pea trenches"
Il pass" said Teddy, getting up
from the table IT'S not my funeral,
Mat So long," And with that he
was gone.
Matte and her mother were finish
ing breakfast in silence when they
heard the knocker on the front door.
"Tll co." said Matte. as her mother
started to rise.
lin George Davis-next door,
you know just saw you chasing
my chickens out of your garden.
-
Come in. please" said Matte.
opening wide the door to the young
man who was introducing himself.
II you see, We COhO W oSoy "'eN-
my brother, next door, for while,
since my firm saw fit to cut down
expenses by letting me out of job.
He's never at home and my sister Is
busy with the baby, SO the chickens
have been in your trenches owing 10
my folly. l apologize and will see
that 1t does not happen again
"Oh, don't worry" Matte FASTENED
Z to say. "Of course, well, l have
worked SO hard this spring, and 1t has
!. been rather disconcerting-"
"Disconcerting!" interrupted Davis
. THAT is polite. If | had been In your
place l think would have blessed the
whole houseful of neighbors. Die
a your" he laughed.
Matte Joined him. Perhaps you
would call 1t a blessing. / hadn'
: thought of it in that light. But nov
you won't worry, will you? I'll ge
= out this morning and try to plant thu
= seeds, and then" .
- Then If my chickens dig them vi
. I needn't show my face again In thii
neighborhood?"
p Matte nodded, laughing. That
: it," she said.
With a few more words Of apolog.
y George Davis left, and Matte Herber
knew that she liked him and was gla
that he was to be neighbor.
That morning, when she was bus
le out of doors, trying to repair Tn
damage done to her trenches, Georg
a. Davis looked over the hedge whic
er separated the gardens. 1T is VIII
al should be doing that" he ventured.
xt you may help" Matte salt
% quickly.
~ A few hours work with her assure
GO him that Matte Herbert was not col
ventional, that she was the most ori
ne inal and charming girl he had met
Ks Spring came and went, and Jur
% brought the looked-for blossoms
the Herberts' garden. The four sixt
M foot trenches were q riot OF bloor
and some stems held four blossom
Of gigantic proportions.
Matte and her mother and eve
Teddy picked sweet peas night al
= morning, and Matte herself attends
to the shipping 1t was then that Ms
tie called upon her neighbor for hel
81 can't offer you much In retul
for your help, which l need badly
the girl said. frankly. but ! think
you are still out Of position you al
could do a small business togeth
with your chickens and our ground.
81 don't need any pay for helpil
you," Davis said earnestly. Il shou
love to do it."
Later they worked out a scheme
successive raising Of table commo
ties for which they knew of rea
and accessible markets. And VIII
they worked on this scheme they I
In love with each other.
One day he told her Of his love a
Of what he had hoped her ansv
might be.
my answer is yes. Of course" M
tie said. But we must continue
be partners In business as well as
our home. well, I'm glad the v
M brought to you and to me the nee
Z sity for earning our living togeth
:s For It was the exigencies Of the
. situation that brought US togeth