Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-08-24
CHAPTER XVI.
Callers.

stained fingers, at her old, soiled khaki
garden skirt, which stopped at least
six inches from the ground, and then
at my get-up, which consisted of very
dirty soft-collared shirt, no necktie,
khaki trousers that beggared descrip-
ton, and soil-crusted boots. Some
passengers from the motor were IN
questionably coming up our side path
they were coming around the corner
by the lilac bush to the front door
they We're around the lilac bush-they
were upon us!
We looked at them-at large
ample female in a silk gown anything
but ample, at a young woman elabo
rately dressed at q smallish man with
white hair, white mustache and rudy
complexion, clad in Juvenile Norfolk
jacket and white fiannels.
''They are coming to calp whfs
pered Stella. '"The Lord help us!
John, I'm scared!'
We advanced to meet them, and as
| glanced at my wife, and then at the
ample female, l was curiously struck
with their resemblance to a couple of
strange dogs approaching each other
warily. l fully expected to see the
stout lady sniff; she had that kind OF
nose.
How do you do" said she. "I'm
Mrs. Eckstrom. l presume this is Mr..
and Mrs. Uptonw
Stella nodded.
I'VE are neighbours" she continued,
with an air which said, "You are very
fortunate to have us for neighbors.'
1--WE live in the first place toward the
village This is Mr.. Eckstrom, and my
daughter, Miss Julia"
'We can hardly offer our hands"
said Stella. "Will you forgive usi
You see, we are making a garden, and
it's rather messy work.
''You like to work in the garden
yourself, | see," said Mrs. Eckstrom.
Il, too, enjoy it. l frequently pick
rose-bugs. | pick them before break.
fast very early, while they are still
sleepy. l find it is the only way to
save my tea roses"
1.-THE early gardener catches the rose.
bug-Tu remember that" Stella
laughed. Perhaps you would care to
see the beginnings Of our little gar.
den?"
We moved down through the orchard
and surveyed the pool. l suppose il
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 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. tits so much simpler
to sic few men on the job Besides,
they can usually do it better"
Stella and I exchanged glances, and
she cautioned me with her eyes. But
p0liteness was never my strong point.
Sometimes" said I, at happens
that chap who wants garden lacks
the means to sic few men on the job.
Under those conditions he may, per
haps, be pardoned for laboring him.
SELF
There was a slight silence broken
by Stella, who said that we We're go
ing to get some goldfshes soon.
1--WE can give them some out Of our
pool, can't we, father?" the other girl
IN off 10 hO
borIy 1--WE really have too many"
Certainly, certainly; have Peter
bring some over tonight" her father
replied.
ooh, thank your Stella cried. "And
will you have Peter tell US theii
namesw
Their what?" exclaimed Mrs. Eek.
strom.
ga, haven't aney names? The poor
things" Stella said. 81 shall name
them as soon as they come"
What 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 a 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 1t were two enor-
nous toads and two small ones.
CHOSE 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 amazement-or was it
pity?
A son and daughter-in-law, she an
nounced, rising. 'They are Gladys
and Gaynor."
A polite smile f1ickered on the faces
of our three visitors and died out in
silence. Stella once more shot glance
at me.
We turned toward the house. eff
you will excuse me for a few mo-
ments, l will make myself fit to brew
you some tea" said my wife, holding
open the door.
"That is very kind, but We'll not re-
main today, 1 think" Mrs. Eckstrom
replied. "We will just glance at what
you have done to this awful old house.
t. MOI Won