The Glenwood post., 1923-01-11
THE SECRET
BY GERTRUDE w. FIELDER
70 oy MeClure Newspaper syndicat

she was digging, straight into the
bright black eyes of Nicola, vendor of
vegetables.
WHY won't it grow?" Betty de-
manded, brandislIing her trench tool, II
huge carving knife.
Nicola retreated step and tried an
other tack. Work too hard. Ladies
not plant seed tubers."
"Those who work in gardens plant
other things than seeds and tubers.
They plant nope and faith and love-"
Betty began softly
ut not grow" repeated Nicola.
Betty patted the earth around the
tuber with kindly hands. Without
looking up, she remarked, My conf
dence is the confidence of seers
Wherefore should | have vexation of
spirit lest what ought to be will not
be?"
Nicola did not task her to repeat.
He ignored her remark.
me, l plant early, cover all, glass"
said Nicola. 81 sell, you buy" he add
ed, in tones of oily smoothness.
To-day I'll buy, yes; but tomorrow
Betty spoke figuratively), when my
garden attains its rich fulfillment
shall not need to buy. 1 shall have
potatoes and squashes.
"But today I'll take that and that
and that, and be sure to call every
day. If l must become a vegetarian,
at least I'll be graceful about it." she
added whimsically.
"You couldn't be otherwise" said a
voice behind her.
"How long, If I may ask, have you
been eaves-dropping? Betty inquired
politely.
Long enough to be consumed with
jealousy. You never asked me to cali
every day."
Betty sat back on her heels and
with eyes that would twinkle. at was
hardly necessary" she was beginning,
when he vaulted the hedge as he had n
habit of doing.
"1f you will pardon the suggestion
you would be saved from disappont-
ment later If you-"
"Should send to the agriculture bu-
reau for a pamphlet prepared for the
amateur gardener" Betty interrupted.
Five good friends have already of
fered me the same advice"
"On the contrary" said the young
doctor, calmly. 81 was about to sug-
gest you take partner"
-.
having me for customer" Betty re-
torted, resuming her interrupted gar
dening to hide the laughter in her
eyes.
81 did not have Nicola in mind" re-
turned the young doctor.
"There are individuals who say and
that boastingly, that this thing of let
ting love get the best of you is ridcu-
lous," he said, suddenly.
For what are you digging hole
tomato plant or a tree?" queried
Betty, demurely.
And then a pair of startled brown
eyes gazed into pair of wondering
gray.
"What is it?" whispered the owner
of the brown.
Captain Kidds treasure trove, I
think" answered the owner of the
gray.
"Oo-oo Can't you lift it outy cried
Betty.
"Um-m. Wait. It's coming. There ~
depositing a small, iron box upon the
ground. "It isn't Captain Kidd's treas.
ure, after all. Maybe it's Mrs. Cap.
tain's, though"
"How do you know, before we open
it?" giggled Betty.
"Who but woman would leave the
key in the lock-" he grinned.
"Goody! Now we can open It quick
said Betty. Its mine, because grand.
father left everything to me-"
"One moment" said the young doc.
tor, looking straight into Betty's eyes
"If within the box be gold untold, !
mount by coal-black stallion and ride
away into the unknown-for Its
equivalent"
And then the box stood open.
"Letters" exclaimed Betty. "Who
would bury letters so carefully?" Won.
deringly. she drew one forth. 1t
cracked between her fingers Dear.
est Charles" she deciphered the
cramped. faded handwriting then
turned to the signature, Ever your
Elizabeth"
"They're love letters" she cried, a
little breathlessly, "grandfather's and
grandmother's."
81 wonder why the one who buried
them didn't burn them, instead?" said
the young doctor.
81 wonder" said Betty. "Once, 80
mother told me, grandmother dis.
obeyed grandfather's wishes, braving
his displeasure and anger to bring
about something which she knew was
the desire of his heart. Grandfather
never forgave her-not until the very
last. think grandfather buried the
letters because-because they seemed
like n part of grandmother, and he
was sorry he had been so hard. Wen
not read them, boy, dear"
"Of course not, dearest. Well put