Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-07-13
The JAPANESE GARDEN
81 LEONARD HESS.


that the boy would pull through and
that he was, In fact, already out of |
danger, smile of triumph hlckered |
OH her lips ana she turned her eyes |
heavenward a. if his recovery had |
been special diSpensation of Pr0vi- !
dence for her alone. The boy was |
twenty-five; she was thirty-elght.
Her slight figure pressed on its way
through the crowds. Her brow, usual |
~ clear and serene under the hair
streaked with gray, was now furrowed
and under her large hat her eyes
shone brightly. What gift should she
send Larry Holden for his GONZALES
cence? He was fond Of readng-but
almost everyone would send books.
She peeped from window to window,
perplexed by the search. At last her
eye lit on q japanese garden and she
gave gasp Of delight MS she came to
quick conclusion, which left logic
quite PROSTATE behind her, She was
very partial to japanese gardens; 50
Larry must be partial to them, TOO
A sleek little Jap bowed her into the
cool recesses OF the shop, dimly green
with the leaves OF multitudinous small
plants. She looked about her and
then selected her garden. Larry had
always talked great deal about the
Orient.
She was the friend Of Larry's oldest
sister and Larry himself was very
fond Of her He was the only man
who was fond of her, as she knew
wull enough Larry was In her
thoughts constantly. In the beginning
she had felt toward him as toward a
young brother, but IL was not long be-
fore there came a subtle change, she
forgetting that she was thrty-eight
and he only twenty-five.
n was n shock TO find how thin his
face looked on the white pillow. There
was but feeble strength in the hand
with which he clasped Celia Darrow's
own.
Hello, awfully glad TO see
YOU He held her hand and gazcd up
at her. Thanks awfully for That"
He nodded toward a table AT his side.
On the table stood the Japanese gar
den, with It's dwarf trees and bridges
and pagodas.
You IKE it," Her voice thrilled.
Splendid! I've had 1t placed there,
You see--cose, where | can always
look at 1t. rye been looking at 1t ever
since 1t came. How thoughtful you
are Cellar
She turned quickly away.
'Youve been reading7 Shall read
to YOU now?"
As she touched the book he went
on;
mo, thanks; don't read Just talk
to me. I'm always glad TO have you
with me"
She dropped her eyes and struggled
with button of her glove. Her
breath quickened. Larry's eye roved
To the Japanese garden. TO herself,
Celia Darrow repeated over and over
his words, I'm always glad to have
you with me-" They did not speak.
Every time Larry looked toward her
he smiled, and when It was time to
20 she rose In y tlutter, taking his
hand, blush spreading over her pale.
oval face.
Thanks again, Celia" he muir
INJURED. "DO come in tomorrow -
She dropped his hand and hurried
out, saying to herself He loves me;
ne loves me"
She returned to him almost every
day till he was we'll aud at every
loayetaking she said to herself "He
loves mep
month later, she was reading at
her open window. She was reading
with her eyes alone Her thoughts
were with Larry Holden. Suddenly,
as If the thoughts had summoned him
TO her by their longing. she heard
larry's own voice in the hall. AS he
entered the room, she tottered, going
toward him. and at the same time she
smiled.
Celia = he cried
lie kissed her, Her face hamed and
her eyes closed
Dear CeliaN he cried. looking
straight into her eyes. i've some
thing to say to you. IL am going on
Il journey Isn't IL spleudld2 Awful
ly good ot old dad I'm going to the
Orient Celia I've been wanting to
ever since | read Che first word about
IT, IN some tale or other years ago.
Blue seas, blue skies, juugles aud
brown faces just had to come right
over and tell you. Know why2 Be-
cause II was your Japanese garden
that set me Off this way. Wish me
luck. Lots of luck His outburst
stopped abruptly and he added in
sudden awe: You're avtully pale
Celia Why
She smiled. Then. taking his hoyish
face between her hands she drew him
toward her aud kissed him twice on
the forehead.
Take care of yourself. child. and
write 90 ue--sometimes-"
A moment hp looked wonderlpgly
into her eyes. Tie Kissed her again.
~olomnly. without understanding in
the least And the next moment h.
waS oG with q great hayl-h shout