South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-15
OUer and Under the Wall
BY Vincent G. Perry

IL was the taIlest wall in the Wiz
lage. ard Il separated the gardens
Of Tom Blake's uncle and Celia Mil
ler's aunt The wall had never
seemed such formidable thing
until Celia's aunt Jane had forbid
den Tom the grounds. and then It
was all the fault Of Tug. Toms bull
dog This IS how Il happened.
Tom had known Celia very well en-
the city, and when she left 20 live
with her aunt IN the country village
ne discovered life was dul. without
her OF course, her letters were
bright and cheerful. and after ne
showed what "A good cOrrespo
he was. they were numerous. IL
was a happy coincidence that ne dis
covered he had an uncle living right
next door 90 her aunt. and the first
vacation he had ne came TO spend
with his uncle.
II he had left Tug 20 home all
would have been we'll but tho old
dog needed am outing. and he
brought him along. Celia was de-
lighted with his visit. and her maid
On aunt looked on him with reserved
favor for the first two uays. but
the crash came the third day. Tt
was the first time Tom had taken
Tug 20 visit Celia, and it was just
his luck 10 have Aunt Jane and her
pet poodle Flossie, in the garden.
Tug spled Flossie. and before Tom
could stop him poor Flossie was be-
ing rolled numerically abo-t the
grass, while Aunt Jane screamed ~
the top Of her voice and Celia pound
cd at Tug with "a rake handle. IL
Tom had known how things We're go
ing 10 turn out he would have known
better than 10 laugh, but his laugh
ter and the frantic antics of the vo-
men urged Tug TO greater efforts
Before Tom could call him off Flos-
sic was spinning about like a rubber
ball.
"Get out Of here with your vicious
dog. and don't ever enter my garden
again cor speak TO my niece. or tn
have You arrested Aunt Jane fair
u screeched at him. after FlossIe
had been restored.
Tom sObcred at once and tried 20
explain that the DOGS had only been
fndulging i'm "A very friendly dog
game, but without avail Celia UNI
derstood. hut her aunt was aroused
beyond understanding. Tom thought
II best 20 retreat, especially as Celia
had burst into tears.
At first he had thought Aunt Jauo
would repent and allow him at least
70 sneak TO her niece but she didn't
He had TO console himself with a
few stolen moments OF conversation
over the wall each day. Ever that
was denied him at length. for Celia
left the ladder against the wall anc
Aunt Jane found it, suspected the
truth and locked it up. Then when
Aunt Jane found that they had been
meeting in the village Celia wasn't
sent on any more errands. Not "a
be daunted. Tom set 10 work To
make rope ladder, but il was more
difficult than he had expected and
Il took him two or three DAYS "a
complete IT, While he was work
ing Celia found a way TO communi-
cate with him. She stationed her
self I'm an upstairs window, over
looking his uncles garden and, al
though neither Of them could talk
the deaf and dumb language. they
originated a series of signs by which
they could understand each other
perfectly. II signs have the sane
effect that words are reputed TO have
Aunt James ears must have burned
The ladder was finally completed
and when Aunt Jane was taking her
afternoon nap. Celia stole TO the gar
den. Tom had geen waiting for her
At the sound of her voice he climb
ed mp the ladder on his side Of the
fence. perched on the wall. lowered
the rope for her TO use and fastened
it on the end Of the ladder Oolia
was q trifle doubtful OF the strength
OF the rope but he treasured her.
There" she gasped as she reach
Cd the top of the v--r and Tom as
sisted her 10 sit beside him. Il was