The Era-leader., 1917-08-02
the JAPANESE GARDEN
BY LEONARD HESS.

She had prayed as fervently as the
boys own family that he might re-
cover, and, perhaps, during the Crisis
her voice had been raised In tervor
| SURPRISING that Of all the rest. SO
when the boys sister informed her
that the boy would pull through and
that he was, in fact, already out OF
danger, smile of triumph flickered
on her lips and she turned her eyes
heayenward as if his recovery had
been q special dispensation of Proyl'
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
cence? 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 a 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
we'll enough. Larry was in her
thoughts constantly. In the beginning,
she had felt toward him as toward
young brother, but it was not long be-
fore there came subtle change, she
forgetting that she was thirty;eight
and he only twenty-twO.. =
It was a 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 Darrows
own.
"Hello, Cella-awfully glad to see
you" He held her hand and gazed 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 like it?' Her voice thrilled.
splendid! I've had it placed there,
you see-close, where I can always
look at 1t. I've been looking at 1t ever
since 1t came. How thoughtful you
are, Celia"
She turned quickly away.
you've been reading2 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 a 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
60 she rose in flutter, 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;
he loves mel"
She returned to him almost every
day till he was we'll, and at every
leavetaking she said to herself: "He
loves mew
A 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.
He kissed her. Her face famed and
her eyes closed.
"Dear Celia>M he cried, looking
straight into her eyes. "Tve some.
thing to say to you. IL am going on
journey! -Isn't 1t splendid? Awful.
ly good of old dad! I'm going to the
Orient, Celia4: I've been wanting to
ever since read the first word about
1t, in some tale or other, years ago.
Blue seas, blue skies, jungles and
brown faces! just had to come right
xAN