The Dolores star., 1916-08-18
CHAPTER xvI-centInusd.

IL
We advanced to meet them, and as
I glanced at my wife, and then at the
ample female. was curiously struck
with their resemblance to a couple of
strange dogs approaching each other
warily. / fully expected to see the
stout lady sniff; she had that kind OF
q nose.
How do you d." said she. I'm
Mrs. Eckstrom. presume this is Mr..
and Mrs. Upton?"
Stella nodded.
I'VE are neighbors." she continued,
with an air which said. you are very
fortunate to have us for neighborsg
I'VE live in the first place toward the
village. This is Mr.. Eckstrom, and my
daughter, Miss Julia"
I'VE can hardly offer our hands,"
said Stella. will you forgive us?
You see, we nre making a garden, and
it's rather messy work"
You like to work in the garden
yourself. see," said Mrs Eckstrom
II, too, enjoy 1t. I frequently pick
rose-bugs I pick them before break
fast, very early. while they are still
sleepy. I find 1t is the only way to
save my tea roses"
1.-THE early gardener catches the rose
bug-IW remember that" Stella
laughed. perhaps you would care to
see the beginnings Of our little gar
DEM"
We moved down through the orchard
and surveyed the pool. I suppose 1t
did look bare and desolate to the out
slider, who did not see it, as we did,
with the eye Of faith-the bare soil
green with grass, the lip ringed with
iris blades, the shrubbery bordered
with a mass Of blooms. At any rate,
the Eckstroms betrayed no enthusiasm.
'Mr. Upton spaded all that lawn up
himself, and we made the bench to-
gether," cried Stella.
well, you must like to work." said
Mr.. Eckstrom. ITS so much simpler
to sic a few men on the Job. Besides,
they can usually do 1t better"
Stella and exchanged glances, and
she cautioned me with her eyes. But
politeness was never my strong point.
Sometimes" said I, ut happens
that q chap who wants a garden lacks
the means to sic a few men on the Job.
Under those conditions he may, per-
haps. be pardoned for laboring him
self"
There was q slight silence broken
BY Stella. who said that we were 60
ing to get some goldfishes soon.
1--WE can give them some out Of our
pool, can't we, father?" the other girl
said, with an evident effort to be neigh
borly. 1--WE really have too many"
Certainly, certainly; have Peter
bring some over tonight" her father
replied.
i "Oh, thank your Stella cried. "And
will you have Peter tell US their
names?" .,...
'Their whatrs exclaimed Mrs. Eek
strom.
''Oh. haven't they names? The poor
thingsr' Stella said. II shall name
them as soon as they come"
what a quaint idea" the girl said,
with a smile do you name all the
creatures on the placer
Certainly" said Stella. "Come. I'll
show you Epictetus and Luella."
This was q new one on me, but
kept silent, while she led us around
the house and lifted the plank which
led up from the sundial lawn to the
south door, Under it were two enor-
nous toads and two small ones.
'Those big ones are Epictetus and
Luella," she announced, land. dear me-
two children have arrived to visit them
since morning! Let me see."
She dropped on her knees and ex'
amined the toads carefully. while they
tried to burrow into the soil backward
to escape the sun. Our callers regard.
ed her with odd expressions Of mingled
amusement and amaxement-or was II
pityf
A son and daughter-in-law, she an
nounced, rising. ''They are Gladys
and Gaynor."
A polite smile nickered on the faces
Of our three visitors and died out in
silence. Stella once more shot glance
at me.
We turned toward the house. I'll
you will excuse me for a few mo
ments, 1 will make myself At to brew
you some tea" said my wife, holding
open the door.
THAT is very kind, but wen not re
main today, I think" Mrs. Eckstron
replied. 1--WE will just glance at wha,
you have done to this awful old house
It was certainly an eyesore before you
bought it."
II liked it all gray and weathered, v
Stella answered. "In fact, l didn't
want 1t painted. But apparently you
have to paint things to preserve them
Still, the Lord made wood before man
made paint"
"He also made man before man
made Clothes" said I.
A polite smile from the girl followed
this remark. Her father and mother
seemed unaware of IT. They gave our
beautiful living room a casual glance,
and the man took in especially the
books-in bulk.