The Lamar register., 1921-10-19

and several calculations caught his at
tentlon, and he became, In spite of him
self, aware of their words. In fact,
he at length quite shamefacedly ceased
hoeing and inclined his ear very def
nitely in the direction Of the hedge.
"Well-of all thingsr
did you everr
81 suppose he thinks"
"Every one says he's odd and this
proves 1t But he doesn't mean It.
He wouldn't darei'
The last three words really settled
the fate of the hen. Wouldn't dare
kill that old beast that was eating up
his garden faster than he could plant
It? But, hark, what were they say
ingr
go right along back and dig up
his old sarden!" Laughter.
Two days later. after discovering
the nibbled remains Of the first spears
of the Golden Bantam corn. George
made a neat job Of 1t. down to the
pluckiDg and dressing and singeing.
Then arose the question of presenta-
ton. 1t would never do to throw the
bird under the hedge and leave It to
be discovered.
That would be equivalent to pro-
viding a banquet for all the cats In
the neighborhOod. No, he must de-
liver 1t IN person. And now that the
moment of his revenge had actually
arrived, George, who was not by ma
ture vindictive. shrank from making
the most of It. However. he was not
use a seasoned metaphor. and then
turn back.
Shortly after dusk. strengthening
his resolution with memories of his
wrongs, his arms burdened with plat
ter Gas promised In the note) on which
rested the remains invitingly ready
for the oven. George peered through
the hedge. Yes. some one. indistinct
In the twilight. was watering down a
garden. Great idea that-keeping ones
own garden intact by sending ones pet
hen into somebody eise's garden.
-Ahem." he gently invited attention.
I'm sorry, but I had to keep my
word. Here she isi- He deposited
tho platter and turned quickly away.
He had seen the hose drop suddenly
at the sound of his voice and he had
gathered an incoherent: "What-why
who" Then silence, unbroken and
deep.
Two mornings later George leaned
on his wheel-hoe and contemplated his
two-inch peas with satisfaction Peas
by the middle Of June-that was his
fond ambition. His beans were doing
well, too. He must put In a row Of
stringiess green pods for succession,
also some bush umns. He hoped his
lettuce would head. He must set out
his Chalks Early Jewel tomato
plants.
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Davis, but
I'm returning your platter. And the
hen was simply delicious"
She had a wonderful voice. Even
In his embarrassment George made
note OF that. In fact, II he had known
the owner OF that perfidious hen was
an entrancing young thing with blue
eyes and bright brown golden hair ano
apple blossom cheeks and
He was blushing awkwardly. 1T
was an objectionable thing to do" he
blurted forth, "and it's quite too late
to apologize"
"Oh, don't bother about that" said
the girl with the sweetest of smiles.
But tell me, Mr.. Davis. why are your
peas so much taller than oursf'
From that moment dated many long
discussions on peas and other vege-
tables and the weather and the peace
treaty and our national parks and
how much II cost to furnish a home.
And the translation from one topic to
another was effected SO easily and nat
urally that neither realized Just how
1t came about Even Elaine's mother
SAID afterward that the whole thing
seemed ''preordained," considering the
hen and all.
George himself gave due credit to
the hen.
Darling" he murmured, Just after
the blissful moment when Elaine had
| promised to make II garden with him
every spring for the rest of their lives,
''if l had known that that hen one
stepping about my garden was to
bring me you. she would now be Nv