, 1922-05-18

tOunulnB-Dul anu uepdrleu IOf mOIe
congenial quarters, which they soon
found on a nelghboring side street.
The rest of the visit was, of course,
delightful, only the streets were pretty
crowded and noisy, and they couldn't
sleep very well at night; moreover,
Reuben lost his pocketbook with a
small sum of money in 1t so. on the
whole, they concluded to go home a
little before the two weeks ended.
When spring came Nancy returned
to her former mistress, and her va
cant throne remained ~unoccupied.
Little by little the dust gathered on
the big velvet chairs In the parlor and
the room was opened less and less.
When the first green things COM
menced to send tender shoots up
through the wet, brown earth, Reu-
ben's restlessness was very noticeable.
BY and by he began to go off very
early in the morning, returning at
y noon for a hasty dinner, then away
again till night. To his wife's re-
peated questioning he would reply.
sheepishly, "Oh, just %loafin', that's
ALL"
And Emily was nervous. too. OF
late h had taken a great fancy to a
daily walk, and 1t always led In one
direction-down past the little brown
house. OF course she glanced over
the fence at the roses md lllacs, and
she couldn't help seeing that they all
looked sadly neglected. By ana by
the weeds came, grew, and multiplied I;
and tf.,A elo 1900 ~ -
her throat fairly choked in sympathy
with her old pets.
Evenings. she and Reuben spent
very happily on the back stoop, talk
ing of their great good fortune in
being able to live In such a fine large
house. Somehow they said more than
usual about it this spring,
One day, in passing this same little
house, Emily stopped Il moment and
leaned over the gate, that she might
gain a better view Of her favorite
~rosebush.
She eyinced the same interest the
next two mornings, and on the third
she timldly opened the gate and
walked up the old path to the door.
A buxom woman with a big baby In
her arms, and a bigger one hanging to
her skirts, answered the knock.
How do you do. Mis- Gray. Won't
You come int" said she civilly, looking
mildly surprised.
mo, thank you-yes-I mean.
came to see YOU" stammered Emily
confasedly.
You're very good" murmured the
women, still standing in the doorway.
Your flowers are so pretty ven
tured Mrs. Gray, unable to keep the
wistfulness out of her voice.
d o think so?" carelessly 81
s'pose they need weedin'. What with
my babies an all, l don't get much
time for posies."
"Oh. please,-would 1t be too much
trouble to let me come an putter
around the beds?" queried the little
woman eagerly. "Oh, l would like 1t
50 much ~
The other laughed heartily.
We'll, l really don't see how it's
goin' TO trouble me to have you
weedin' my flowers; In fact, 1 should
think the shoe would be on the other
foot e the red showed In her
face a little. you're welcome to do
whatever o want, Mis- Gray
"Oh, thank you" exclaimed Emily,
as she quickly pulled up an enormous
weed at her feet.
1t took but a few hours work to
bring about a wonderfully happy
change in that forlorn garden, and
then Mrs. Gray found that she had a
big pile of weeds to dispose of. FIJI
ing her apron with a portion Of them,
she started to go behind the house In
search of a garbage heap. Around
the corner she came face to face with
her husband, hoe in hand.
"Why, Reuben Gray! Whatever In
the world are you doing?"
For a moment the man was crushed
with the enormity of his crime; then
he caught sight Of his wife's dirt
stained fingers.
"Well. I guess / amt doing no worse
than you bel' And he turned his
back and began to hoe vigorously.
Emily dropped the weeds where she
stood. turned about. and walked
through the garden and up the hill.
bordering many things.
Supper wns strangely quiet that
night. Mrs. Gray had asked a single
question: "Reuben. do you want the
little house backf"
A glad light leaped Into the old
mans eyes.
"Em'ly-would you be willln' tor
After the supper dishes were put
away, Mrs. Gray. with a light shawl
overhead. came TO her husband on the
back stoop.
Come, dear; | think we'd better go
down tonight"
A few minutes later they sat stlfiy
in the best room of the farmhouse,
while the buxom woman and her hus-
band looked wonderingly at them.
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