The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-04-19
At the Garden
Gate
o0
tcspyrisht. ISIS. western N.vsp.psr Uniea
By GEORGE ELMER COBB

acting out a sweet little love story
all by themselves. So far they were
only friends they told themselves. but
their Inner consciousness revealed to
them that they were fast drifting into
that delightful phase of super.exist-
ence where life is one rose-tinted. de-
liriOus whirl Of ecstatlc Joy.
Aida WINS schoolteacher. SO was
her sister. Marcia. in a rural district
fifty miles distant. The family was a
pleasant one, the mother of the old
fashioned. fast-disappearing type. In
dulgent and sympathetic. the father a
stOrekeeper of the town with trade
enough to keep things comfortable.
He was content. and not willing to
cOvet business expansion at the cost
Of risking his little capital and pass
ing sleepless nights worrying over 1t.
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 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 were dOcile and
friendly. II had begun raining just
inter 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 rush.
ing torrent and the water was up over
the steps of the little frame building.
At Its open doorway stood the pretty
schoolteacher. with dismayed face
noting the grewsome prospect. while
at the windows the pupils crowded
generally. very much entertained by
the novelty of their situation.
Conditions were less discouraging
Mt the roof shelter. The water had
been over shoe tops for an hour. hut
run of a 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 shed. There came final fear
full downpour. resembling q cloud
burst. Bruce saw that the water 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 wall
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
fionting. but stalled platform might be
utilized us q raft. When he waded
around to 1t the water was up to his
knees. and he doubted not that 1t was
waist high farther down the slant In
the direction of the marooned pupils
and their teacher. Across one side of
the shed was stretched long pole be-
yond which q food trough, had been
placed to contain fodder for the horses.
II WAS thick. staunch land secured by
nails Mt both ends.
1.-THE very thing" decided Bruce.
tore 1t loose. waded to the platform
and got upon 1t. Then using the pole
as deity as he had manipulated 1t
when a lad playing the cnstnway
afloat on 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 dlligent
effort as the schoolmistress appeared
at Its door. waving her handkerchief
encouraRingly The little ones clus-
tered about her and at the windows.
keeping up a 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 well recompensed.
In the three groups the little ones were
RATED across the expanse to where
Miss Wrenn, fully familiar with the
topography of the vicinity. pointed out
a rising blum path. Dry shod and
fiuttering with rare excitement. the
little ones dispersed. able to reach
their homes In safety. Miss Wren in
sisted on remaining behind until the
last Of her charges were safely deliv.
cred from peril and discomfort.
"How can We ever thank you for
your wonderful work." she fiuttered.
as she stepped upon the raft. "What
In that?" she added. with quick
backward glance. 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 a
hero in the eyes of the little commu-