The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-24
The EDening Story
Her Sentimental Garden.

lawn to meet Jim Bartlett. 1.-The
dressmaker telephoned her to come
down there, and she said to tell you to
wait for her.
Jim smiled. I'D be certain not to
go until 1 had seen her.
"Why?" asked Teddy.
Because
"Huh-that's what 1 always say
when L don't want to tell what's in
my mind" said the little boy solemn
ly. Il think you've got something in
your mind about Aunt Editha."
I'm afraid I have, Ted"
Teddy was silent for a long while;
his brown eyes were fixed meditative-
ly on a dandelion in the grass. Lift
ing his gaze he said, conclusively.
But you're not marrying man, are
you, Mr.. Jim ?'
Jim blushed holly. Eth? What in
thunder do you mean?" he frowned.
"Who said that about me?"
ooh! Mrs. jeremiah Wells told
grandmother so. She said you were
shilly-shallying bachelor, and -''
Hush all that, Teddy" interrupted
the young man. I'm sure Mrs. Wells
didn't mean for you to hear what she
said.''
"She had no business to talk so loud
then. She woke me up from my nap,
flared Teddy indignantly.
Lets stop gOssiping and talk about
something else. The garden looks
beautiful doesn't it?'
''Sure!" Teddy's tone grew pert. 1T
ought to with Mr.. Smith sprinklinG
it while Aunt Editha pulls up the
weeds
Jim pricked up his ears.
Smith, Ell? Well, he's not here
now. You and I will go and investi-
gate Aunt Editha's garden. She prom
iSed me some roses tonight"
'She gave some to Mr.. Smith, too
Jim choked down a desire to ask
questions about his rival. He hastily
changed the subject by asking Teddy
the names of many of the flowers.
"All those beautiful smelly ones are
roses-pink, white and yellow said
the little boy. TT. Smith said bride
roses were his favorites and Aunt
Editha said she preferred tea roses.
Just like something to drink; it sound
ed funny. He called it a sentimental
garden. What is that, Mr.. Jim?''
Give it UP, Ted said Jim some
what moodily, for the first bloom had
gone from his visit What are these
pretty flowers. old MANI"
Bleeding hearts-see. don't they
look like hearts? Bloody. looking, too,
only IT doesn r 6ome or sa,d J@d re- l.
Iove-in-a-mist and this crawling plant
is creeping Charlie. That's a funny
name-it's Mr.. Smiths name
TT seems to me that you have Mr..
Smith on your BRAIN" snapped Jim ir-
ritably.
His hand was on my brain-he said
I had good-shaped head said Ted
dy proudly.
your heads all right-only don't
overwork the brain department" grim
ned Jim. amy more dieaway plants
in this garden?''
There's bachelors buttons-those
blue flowers over there and lady slip
pers and marigolds- and OH Mr.. Jim,
you're picking Aunt Editha's flowers
and it isn't allowed unless she says
you may!"
I'll take scolding afterward,"
said Jim grimly. Il want some of the
droopy stuff-bleeding heart, you call
it? And love-in-a mist? Good boy,
Ted! And bachelor buttons-and say,
Ted, which are the bride roses?"
But Teddy planted himself in front
of the bush of white roses and re-
fused to bulge an inch.
''They are not for you, Mr.. Jim,''
he said stoutly.
How do you know"
81 heard what Aunt Editha said
to Mr.. Smith. She said, I'm sorry
1 can't give you bride roses-no, you
might not understand I don't know
what she meant, but I do know what
she said!'
Jim stared helplessly You're a
regular photograph, Ted" he said
at last. Seem to spend most of your
| time recording conversations not
meant for your youthful ears
| ST hear 'em just the same" smirked
Ted.
Jim turned at the sound of a light
step.
Editha was coming down the path,
a thing beautiful to see on this sum-
mer afternoon.
Good afternoon" she greeted him.
'Why. you have been picking flow
/ ersi What an odd bouquet"
Jim looked down at the flowers he
had clumsily arranged.
Bleeding heart, love-in-a-mist and
/ hao ~ hutton The bride he
wanted were just beyond his reach,
for Teddy still interviewed.
MY bouquet is not complete" he
said significantly.
"Four-o'clocks? ?" asked Editha inno-
Gently.
He shook his head.
'Tea roses? I see Annie is arrang-
ing the tea things under the trees
mot tea roses, Edithai"
''Aunt Editha," Ted interrupted
you've got a plant in your garden
named after Mr.. SMITH mean the
creeping Charlie. You ought to name
sonnet hing for Mr.. Jim. He's my best
| friendi'
Thanks, old top" laughed JIM
swinging the boy to his shoulder.
Couldn't you name something for
him?'' insisted Ted.
Seems to me I've heard of jim
/ son weed chuckled Jim.
/ I'll try and get one" said Editha.
I'm the meantime"
You are so fond of your pipe I'll
name the nicotiana after you" smiled
Editha. Come and have some tea
He wants some bride roses,' an
/ nounced Teddy.
For my bouquet" murmured Jim,
/ offering it to her. isn't it a pretty
assortment of sentimental flowers?''
Editha blushed and looked down at
| the blossoms.
He wants bride roses,' repeated
Teddy, but 1 told him you wouldn't
give Mr.. Smith