The Chicago whip. (Chicago, Ill.) 1919-19??, 1919-10-04

THE SILVER CUP
>%~1~]H~~]~1~1~X1~~

trained nurse for long healthful sum.
mer and incidentally raise a fine gar
den.
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.
'If three rooms can hold all these
things, it's time 10 prove IT," she de-
ciared, and set about her moving In
with energy.
Lights began 20 twinkle In the little
bungalows around her as she sat down
az last in the tidy little house and
looked about.
But the blowing Last years mat
ted 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. A workman met
her, evidently a farmland, who was
driving the farm horse out on the
wagon road.
"Why, yes" said he, considering the
Diut S1dA EYES anu tutSluul lONhs w
fore him. ~ think | can get off to p,ow
your little garden tonight after sup
per IT'S light till pretty late now"
AS the sunset faded the farmland
drove his pillow on to her little field and
soon the burrows, straight and black.
lay open TO the night air, enriching lis
odor.
Ever plant before?n he asked as
he rested the horses at the end OF
a row.
ooh, not a big garden like this"
said Louise, noting the well shaped
head and the graceful vigor of the fig
ure leaning against the horses, bat
tered hat in hand I've planned fine
one" she continued, and was surprised
to remember later how interesting IL
had been to explain it all TO Mr.. Ward,
as he gave his name.
"Tll come over tomorrow and harrow
IT," he offered as he swung his team
into the road ut last.
"Ill be so glad TO have you" said
Louise, happily. for can hardly wait
to get my little farm started"
The garden grew apace. The flourish
ing potatoes nodded Il sea of blossoms,
the corn was blthely green, butterflies
lowered over the tender peas. Already
the posters of the county fair orna-
mented the store windows and bulletin
boards. All the neighborhood was in
cited to greater efforts yet by the Of
fer of n silver cup to the winner OF
the most awards ar 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 ne suggested entering the great
purple pansies and the flaming mas
turtiums also.
She asked the dairy maid az the
farm when she went for the milk If Mr..
Ward was about.
Hes in town today at the Office"
replied the girl
"rhe Office thou hit Louise. ''prob-
ably his employers; 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 vege-
tables, and the drought was nearly
over, too, for already the sky was
cloudng for tempest.
And Mr. Ward handled her treas
ures carefully and appreciated the
beauty of their arrangement.
You can't help getting some prizes
with these Jewels" he assured her.
She went up with the neighbors on
the early train next day b. hear the
opening speeches. To her great sur
prise Mr. Ward was announced as
chairman of the fair committee, and
ne gave a dgnified and interesting
speech Of welcome and then introduced
the others on the platform.
When the gay luncheon party Of the
neighborhood was over, and the after
noon had begun 70 wane, and all the
winners Of hOnors in the lake commu-
nifty had compared their results, she
saw Mr.. Ward coming toward her as
she stood with group about won
derful silvery COW with little calf be
side her. The others greeted him gayly
with the easy introduction of country
customs.
$50 you are the owner OF the great
farm near our lake" said Mrs. Free
man. e! always supposed you were
hired man, you attended Miss Nor
tons garden so diligently"
"Well, there's no disgrace In hiring
out 10 help the neighbors, I'm sure,
Mrs. Freeman he replied.
They went over toward the office
quarters. $50 you are not hired man
at all?" asked Louise
mo, have an office in town, but
this summer decided to have a gar
den Of my own, so I came up to my
farm for the summer for change. You
don't mind my telling you about yodr
in taking me for the hired
man, do your" He stopped at the
lower step and looked at her anx-
iously.
mo" said Louise happily. ''Now