The Monticellonian., 1918-05-03
At the Garden
Gate
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Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper Union
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB

| Copyright, 1918, western newspaper oh.oi.'
Bruce Tyrell and Aida Wrenn were
acting out n sweet little love story
all by themselves. So far they were
only friends they told themselves, but
their inner consciousness revealed 10
them that they were fast drifting into
that delightful phase of super-eXist-
ence where life Is one rose-tinted, de-
lirious whirl of ecstatic joy.
Aida was schoolteacher. So was
her sister, Marcia, in rural district
fifty miles distant. The family was II
pleasant one, the mother of the old
fashioned, fast-disappearing type, in
dulgent and sympathetic, the father
storekeeper of the town with trade
enough to keep things comfortable.
1t was by mere chance that Bruce
had become acquainted with Aida
The biggest rainstorm Hillsboro had
ever known was on the program in
active display, one warm spring after
noon, when he was absolutely ma
rooned upon a rise of ground near the
roadside, with no shelter except an
open stock shed. He was rather glad
of the company Of two horses which
crowded out of the drenching rain
with him. They We're doeile and
friendly. 1t had begun raining just
after the bell of the little crossroads
schoolhouse called in the odd two
dozen scholars from the playground.
There was no afternoon recess, for the
rain never let up until four O'Clock.
BY that time the roadway WAS Il rush
ing torrent and the water WAS UP over
the steps of the little frame building.
At its open doorway stood the pretty
sehoolteacher, with dismayed face
noting the grewsome prospect, while
ut the windows the pupils crowded
generally, very much entertained by
the novelty of their situation.
Conditions were less discouraging
at the roof shelter. The water had
been over shoe tops for an hour, but
Il run of Il hundred feet in knee-deep
water would have landed Bruce on
the higher level. A sturdy framework
of planks, apparently used as a
bridge across some creek or ditch, had
been swept from its moorings and had
landed directly against the side of the
shelter she'd There came a final fear
full downpour, resembling cloud
burst. Bruce saw that the wafer had
come up clear over the threshold of
the little schoolhouse and was pour
ing in over the floor.
Something ought to be done for
those refugees. They'll begin To get
frightened soon. There may be no
danger, but there will be some vail
ing among those little tots when it be-
gins to get dark.
Bruce studied the watery waste be-
tween the shed and the schoolhouse,
and then tried TO calculate how far the
floating. but stalled platform might be
utilized as raft. When he Waded
around to it the water was up to his
knees, and he doubted not that it was
waist high farther down the slant in
the direction of the maroohed pupils
and their teacher. Across one side of
the shed was stretched a long pole be-
yond which food trough had been
placed To contain fodder for the horses.
1t was thick, stauhch and secured by
nails at both ends.
The very thing" decided Bruce.
tore it loose, waited to the platform
and got upon it. Then using the pole
as deftly as he had manipulated it
when lad playing the castaway
afloat on a home pool, he started his
bulky bark in the direction of the be-
leaguered ones Gagged within the little
schOolhouse.
He was inspired nightly to diligent
effort as the schoolmistress appeared
at its door, waving her handkerchief
eneouragingly The little ones clus-
tered about her and at the windows,
keeping up babel of excited cries
and cheers. The experiment was
rare success, and as, for the first time
close at hand, the eyes of Bruce rested
on the lovely face of Aida Wrenn, he
felt all his trouble we'll recompensed
In the three groups the little ones We're
RATED across the eXpanse to where
Miss Wrenn, fully familiar with the
topography of the vicinity, pointed out
q rising bluff path.
How can we ever thank you for
your wonderful work." she fluttered.
as she stepped upon the raft. What
is that?" she added. with a quick
backward glauce. Then she shuddered.
A grinding creak had sounded out the
underpinning of one end of the school
house had given way, Lopsided, the
structure toppled and rested four feet
deep in the water, crushing the door
and windows out of shape, wreck.
Bruce Tyrrell found himself quite n
hero in the eyes of the little eommu-
nifty after that
There came cloud over the spirit
of his dreams one day. As he was
passing through ii little park square.
he diverted his course, but his gaze
was fixed on Aida, seated on bench
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