Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-13
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE SILVER CUP
BY NJ. l.. Walker

Lness with pleasure, had just pur-
chased a three -roomed bungalow in a
summer colony of lakeside commuters.
Here she hoped to rest from her labors
as a trained nurse for a long, health
ful summer and incidentally raise a fine
garden.
She stood on her small front porch
in the midst of litter of household
goods and watched the furniture van
tilt up over the hump in the road and
disappear down the hill.
Lights began to twinkle in the little
bungalows around her as she sat down
at last in the tidy little house and
looked about. Rugs on the living room
floor, low table with reading lamp
in the center, folding cot with Indian
blankets, Morris chair, we'll filled
g0okCasc and a cozy rocked completed
the furniture. A tiny bedroom with
green shades, an cnameled bed and
gray little rug opened from the living
room. On the other side small kitchen
with a miniature sink and kitchen cab
met. a little round dining table, two
chairs and a blue flame oil stove COM
plctpd scene that satisfied the owner
But the blowing. Last years matted
grass covered the 10000 square feet"
that went with her camp. She called
at the great white farmhouse on the
slope of the hill to ask advice the next
morning. 4 workman met her, evidently
farmland, who was driving the farm
horse out the wagon road.
"Why, ycs," said he, considering the
bluGx gray eyes and chestnut locks be-
fore him. II think | can get off to
plow your little garden tonight after
supper It's light till pretty late now."
As the sunset faded the farmland
drove his plow on to her little field and
soon the furrows, straight and black,
lay open to the night air, enriching it's
odor.
"I'll come over tomorrow and har-
row it" he offered as he swung his
team into the road at last.
"Ill be so glad to have you." said
Louise happily, for 1 can hardly wait
to get my little farm started
The garden grew apace. The -four
ishing potatoes nodded like Il sea of
blossoms, the corn was blithely green
butterflies hovcrCd over the tender peas.
Already the posters of the county fair
ornamcntcd the store windows and
bulletin boards. All the neighborhood
was melted to greater efforts yet by the
offer of silver cup to the winner of
the most awards at the fair. AS the
days went on the vegetables responded
to the Jealous care Louise expended
upon them. Mr.. Ward offered to take
her exhibits to the hall in his wagon,
and he suggested entering the great
purple pansies and the flaming mas
turtiumS also.
A spell of dry weather just before the
fair dashed the hopes of many as the
fine green faded from the fields. Mr.
Ward loaned Louise a garden hose and
warned that evening was the time to
use it. His own work kept him very
busy now, so that she saw him seldom.
She asked the dairy maid at the
farm when she went for the milk if
Mr.. Ward was about.
"He's in town today at the Office"
replied the girl.
1.-The office" thought Louise, prob
ably his employers; I wonder who the
owner of the farm is"
But after supper he came and CON
doned about the giant squash leaves.
The blight wouldn't hurt the vegeta
bles and the drought was nearly over,
too, for already the sky was clouding
for tempest.
And after a week of misty rains and
pealing thunder a morning came with
drenched grass and beaten shrubbery,
but clear and fresh at last. The fair
exhibits were to be accepted in the late
afternoon before opening day.
She went up with the neighbors on
the early train next day to hear the
opening speeches To her great sur
prise Mr.. Ward was announced as
chairman of the fair committee, and he
gave dignifcd and interesting speech
of welcome and then introduced the
others on the platform
When the gay luncheon party of the
neighbors was over and the afternoon
had begun to wanc, and all the winners
of honors in the lake community had
compared their results, she saw Mr..
Ward coming toward her as she stood
with a group about a wonderful sill
very COW with little calf beside her.
$50 you are the owner of the great
farm near our lake." said Mrs. Free
man. II always supposed you were n
hired man, you attended Miss Morton S
garden so diligently"
They went over toward the Office
quarters. $50 you are not hired man
at ALL" said Louise.
mo, / have an Office in town, but
this summer l decided to have a garden
of my own, so | came up to my farm
for the summer for change. You don I
mind my not telling you about your
mistake in taking me for the hired man,
do you?" He stopped at the lower step
and looked at her anxiously.
mo" said Louise, happily. 'Now
that I've won the awards and the sill
yer cup won't scold about anything. "
The judges were already descending
the stairs to meet her. There was only
minute left, but he made good use
of it.
And will you let me drive you
home tonight-Louise?"
Yes" whispered Louise, turning to
greet the judges.
"And heaven bless that garden,
breathed her hired man" fervently.
The next complete nOvelette-"Buddy
q cts n Doctor" "