The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-20
THE JAPANESE GARDEN
BY LEONARD HESS.

ehot ne was, IN Iact, already out or
danger a smile of triumph fiickered
on her lips and she turned her eyes
heavenward as If his recovery had
been special dispensation of Proyi-
dence for her alone. The boy was
twenty-five; she was thirty-eight.
Her slight figure pressed on its way
through the crowds. Her brow, usual
ly 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 |
cence2 He was fond of reading-but |
almost everyone would send books. |
She peeped from window to window,
perplexed by the search. At last her
eye lit on a Japanese garden and she
gave gasp of delight as she came to
quick conclusion, which left logic
quite PROSTATE behind her. She was
very partial TO japanese gardens; so
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 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
: who was fond of her, as she knew
: well enough. Larry was in her
thoughts constantly. In the beginning,
she had felt toward him as toward a
| young brother, but 1t was not long be-
Il fore there came IL subtle change, she
II forgetting that she was thirty-eight
II and he only twenty-five.
H 1t was shock TO find how thin his
II face looked on the white pillow. There
| was but feeble strength in the hand
II with which he clasped Celia Darrow''
| own.
II "Helle, Celia-awfully glad to SCI
II youp' He held her hand and gazed III
II at her. "Thanks awfully for that.
II He nodded toward table at his side
II On the table stood the Japanese gar
II den, with its dwarf trees and bridge
II and pagodas.
II "You like it?" Her voice thrilled.
II "Splendidl I've had 1t placed there
II YOU see-clese, where | can Away
II look at it. I've been looking at 1t eve
since II came. How thoughtful 20
II are, Celial"
H She turned quickly away.
you've been reading? Shall | rea
to you nowf"
As she touched the book he wei
on:
mo, thanks; don't read. Just tn
to me. I'm always glad to have "
with me-"
She dropped her eyes and struggl'
with a button of her glove. ii
breath uuickened. Larry's eye row
TO the japanese garden. To herse
Celia barrow repeated over and ov
his words, I'm always glad to ma
IL Won with me-" They did not spes
~ Every time Larry looked toward b
he smiled, and when It was time
"A 90 she rose In futter, taking
hand, blush spreading over her pa
oval face.
"Thanks again, Celia" he mi
IL INJURED. ado come In tomorrow"
AEl She dropped his hand and hurri
ont saving to herself: HE loves N
- he loves me ]"
III She returned to him almost eve
dav till he was well, and at eTs
- leayetaking she said to herself: =
loves met
III A month later, she was reading
- her open window. She was readl
- with her eyes alone. Her tffOug
H were with Larry Holden. Sudden
- as If the thoughts had summoned \
- to her by their longing, she he'
Iarry's own voice In the hall. AS
- entered the room, she tottered' go
III toward him, and at the same time
- smiled.
- "Celia!" he cried.
IL He kissed her. Her face famed
II her eyes closed.
- "Dear Celiai" he CRIED look
straight into her eyes. i've sol
IL thing TO say to you. IL am going
iourneyl Isn't It splendid? Awi
IL " good of old dad! I'm going to
~ orient. Celia I've been wanting
IT over since read the first word as
- If in some tale or other, years
IL pine seas, blue skies, jungles
brown faces just had to come n
IL over and tell you. Know whyf
- carse II was your japanese gar
II mot set me off this way. Wish
- uck. Lots Of luck" His outDt
- sT,nned abruptly and he added
sndien awe: you're awfuliy p
Celia. WHY
- she smiled. Then. taking his boy
- COCO between her hands, she drew
- ta,.ard her and kissed him twice
- .srake care of yourself, child,
write to me-sometimes-
Is moment he looked wonderin
h ,,to ber eyes. He kissed her agi
II solemnly. without understanding
IL tho least. And the next moment
.as off with a great boyish silou