The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-20
The Euening Story
Gardening for Gloria.
(By John Darling.)

the Woo6vine cottage. Certainly the
lovely grounds were sadly in need of
a gardeners care and just as surely
We're his tagged nerves in need of the
reStful tonic that working in that
garden would provide.
He had taken the day in the coun-
try that he might select quiet
boarding house in which to spend
boarding houses were SO totally lack
ing in attractiveness that Randall had
decided that of two evils the lesser
was the city boarding house. Even
the appalling set of people in the city
house was no doubt preferable to
deadly monotony in the country.
But I would love to garden that
bit of property he sighed and would
have passed the Woodvine cottage
for the last time save that a slip of
girl at that psychological moment
happened to come out OF the vine,
covered porch. Her hair was braided
in long sunny plat and her smile
traversed the distance between Ran
dial and the porch.
He retraced his footsteps and went
up the path toward the girl. His
walk was impulsive as were his in
tentions.
The girl gazed questioningly at him
her eyes; eyes that were far seeing
as if they expressed the beauty OF
great mind,
SIS there chance in the world
dial asked as he reached the girls
side.
Il certainly require one" Gloria
Woodvine returned quickly, then with
slight hesitation, but l am not sure
that I want one"
oh was Randars ejaculation,
then do you perhaps know any one
who does both require and want my
services? -
Yours. Are you the gardener"
She looked him up and down with
dawning wonder in her eyes.
YES And would have this bit of
property looking like a show place in
two weeks if you would let me-
There are wonderful possibilities
here" Randall said. and the peculiar
look in his eyes brought a slight
flush to Gloria's cheeks
ct couldn't pay very much" she
said quickly. because | keep this lit
tie place up myself. My family con-
siders me mad for coming down here
in the country to live. 1t is my own
retreat for writing and have not
been able to get some one to make it
beautiful, much as I wanted to-"
IF you permit o,, me d to pltf fnee t and
camp there 1 will care for the garden,
plant some vegetables. get a few lay
ing hens and help you out lot. Is it
a go? / really need the work.
Gloria looked rather startled but a
tiny smile played about her lips As
suredly here was type around whom
she might write story. She would
chance the trial anyway. If he did
not please her she could easily dismiss
him.
81 am down here for absolute quiet
and concentration" she told him. 81
would have to ask you to go about
your work without consulting me
more than is absolutely necessary. My
old black NANNY will always be
about
Randall looked searchingly at Gloria
III Att l., IT,, ,1,1
was she reminded him of. 1t was
Freddy Woodvine, but Randall had not
associated the name of the cottage
with that of the girl. Now ne knew
of trebled interest. She was Gloria
Woodvine. Freddy's sister, and an au
thoress of no small fame.
isis is a bit daffy," Freddy had
had wanted to meet her. she goes
off into Silences and retreats and new
er shows up until she brings full
Pledged novel back with her"
81 will pitch my tent tomorrow,
if it is agreeable to YOU" he said and
realized that he could scarcely wait to
shake the dust of newspaper offices
from his feet and take up his abode
in the garden of Gloria.
AS he travelled on the Long Island
railway back to town all he saw as
he went past villages were two long
braids of golden hair that hung down
GIOr1a Dack.
Absurd he warned himself. land
remember he added in his mental
conversation, you are to consult her
black nanny and not herself for
anything you may require"
And Randall found, after a few days
in Gloria's garden, that his nerves
were beginning to respond to proper
treatment, but that they were apt to
play tricks when the girl with the
sunny hair was anywhere in sight. He
did not seek to talk with her. All that
he wanted he obtained from Martha,
and many a hint on cooking did he
get from that source. He prepared
his own meals on his camp fire and
altogether enjoyed his eccentric ac
lions more than anything he had tried
for long time. His holiday was go
ing to be great success.
The garden, too, responded to prop
er care and looked much like a dainty
flower basket set against a back
ground of tall chestnut trees. Vege-
tables which found their way to black
Martha'S kitchen and hence to the
table of Gloria, were a great success.
The chickens, too, produced Gloria's
breakfast, and Randall rejoiced each
day in the chance that had sent him
past Woodvine cottage
Gloria, apparently deeply engrossed
with her hero of fancy. did, however,
with black Martha, and to learn from
her faithful servant that Randall was
all but a paragon.
He done cut down our 'spenses by
half with his chickings and 'matoes
and onions. Seems lax I never could
make EN- grow"
Gloria had also found many mo-