The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1916-08-24
THE JAPANESE GARDEN
Bv LEONARD HESS.

over, and, perhaps, during the cr'''' X
nor voice had been raised IN a 1er'os y
,urpassing that of all the rest. 90 q
whom the boys sister Informed her 1
that the boy would pull through ana
that he was, in fact, already out 0, t
donaer smile of triumph fitckered
IN her lips and she turned her eyes t
hoovpnward as If his recovery nau !
heeu a special dlspensation OF Prov.
1once for her alone. The boy was ,
twenty-two; she was thirty-eIght'
uor slight figure pressed on its way
through the crowds. Her brow usuul'
" clear and serene under the nal!
strpoked with gray, was now furroweu
md under her large hat her eyes
shone brightly. What gift should she
send Larry Holden for his convaies.
cence7 He was fond Of reading-put
almost everyone would send BOOKS
She peeped from window to WINDOW,
perplexed by the search. At last nel
owe 1T on a Japanese garden and she
paye a gasp of delight as she came 10
Quick conclusion, which left logic
quite PROSTATE behind her. she was
very partial to japanese gardens ~
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 SINAI.
n1onts She looked about her ana
then selected her garden. Larry had
always talked a 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
i who was fond of her, as she knew
we'll enough. Larry was In her
thoughts constantly. In the beginning
she had felt toward him as toward
Young brother, but 1t was not long De-
fore there came subtle change, she
Forgetting that she was thirty-eight
and he only twenty-five.
r. was a shock to find how thin MS
face looked on the white pillow. There
was but feeble strength IN the manu-
with which he clasped Celia Darro~s
i own.
- "Hello, Cella-awfully glad to see
). vou," He held her hand and gazed u[
O ut her, "Thanks awfully for that
d He nodded toward table at his slae'
On the table stood the japanese gar
den, with its dwarf trees and bridges
TT and pagodas.
n "You like it?' Her voice thrilled.
s, "splendid! I've had it placed there
} YOU see-close, where I can always
look at it. I've been looking Mt 1t eve
IS since It came. How thoughtful yo'
es are, Celia"
tx She turned quickly away.
6, "You've been reading? Shall l rea
Z. to you now?"
IT'S As she touched the book ne wen
es on:
nd mo, thanks; don't read. Just tai
yo to me. I'm always glad to have 70
No with me-
p She dropped her eyes and struggle
:. with a button Of her glove. He
!" breath quickened. Larry's eye rove
Id to the japanese garden. To hersel
OF Celia barrow repeated over and Ov'
yet his words, "Im always glad to hay
ID YOU with me-" They did not spea
Every time Larry looked toward n
,ft he smiled, and when it was time
20 she rose in a flutter, taking h
!. hand, a blush spreading over her pal
!. oval face.
Thanks again, Celia" he mu
INJURED. "Do come in tomorrow
, She dropped his hand and hurri'
Vo' out, saying to herself: HE loves m
he loves mel"
She returned to him almost eve
IT. day till he was well, and at eve
iet leavetaking she said to herself: Il
lon loves me-"
use A month later, she was reading
to her open window. She was readi
Ind with her eyes alone. Her though
were with Larry Holden. Sudden
6 as if the thoughts had summoned h
urt to her by their longing, she hea
cen Larry's own voice in the hall. AS
les, entered the room, she tottered, col
to- toward him, and at the same time &
smiled.
og- Cecilia I" he cried.
sh- He kissed her. Her face famed q
her eyes closed.
eht "Dear Celia!" he cried, lookl
straight into her eyes. 1--WE sor
thing to say to you. IL am going
I. a journey! Isn't it splendid? Awf
. ly good of old dad! I'm going to
- Orient, Celia! I've been wanting
ever since read the first word ab'
it, in some tale or other, years a
Blue seas, blue skies, jungles 6
brown faces! just had to come ri
le over and tell you. Know why2
at cause it was your japanese gart
that set NE off this way. Wish
~ luck. Lots Of luck" His outbu
stopped abruptly and he added
cuddop oro. HVn,,'ro ouf,1l1v n,