The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1926-04-15
Nae*@aAAAs.Ass : az. : ssss 81
From LuciIe's Diary

town where the Nodines live. decid-
ed to surprise them, and l went out
on Thursday by the morning train
Leaving my suitcase in the station, l
strolled thru the village to their pref
ty home in the most casual way.
"Why, Lucille" Carol Mrs. Nodine
exclaimed when she looked up from
the young carrots she was thinning
and saw me standing by her side,
where did you drop from?"
From the dull and smoky town."
/ answered.
Ny glance travelled from the masses
of purple and white Lilac bloom that
hedged in the far end of the garden to
the forget-me-nots and lilies Of the
valley that bordered the path. Aren't
you lucky to live in this paradise?"
YES, lucky to live and work in it,"
said Carol. rising from her knees and
pulling off her earthly gloves, and
am very glad to share it with you for
a little while. Lucille, because you
do look rather pale and worm"
1t was snipDy of Carol to welcome
me with an allusion to my pallor. /
am sure that look much fresher and
younger than she does. despite her
Wanted country life.
"As soon as my suitcase comes up
from the station I'll put on my land
army uniform and help you all the
afternoon" told her Il designed my
own uniform. The knickerbockers and
Norfolk jacket are awfully chic"
II dare say" said Carol, but don't
get into them this afternoon, Lucille,
Tor shall not be working in the gar
den. go to the Red Cross after
lunch"
You'll excuse me from that, won't
your That wouldn't be any change for
me. might as well be home if I'm
folding gauze. You understand how |
feel, don't your"
Eyes, perfectly, Lucille. You can
rest and read while I'm at the Red
Cross. Make yourself at home in
every way"
Thank you, Carol" replied CRATE
fully, and did invite my soul for
two hours in the afternoon. Then,
becoming bit bored. l went out
doors to find something TO do. was
delighted to see in the wood lot be-
hind the garden an enormous pile of
leaves.
Just the thing" | said to myself
gayly. I'll have lovely big bonfire,
and get rid Of all this heap for Carol.
l lighted it Immediately, for adore
the pungent odor OF burning leaves.
had rake to stir them and had
been enjoying myself hugely when ]
heard Carol calling me excitedly.
How did they get on fire?" she
asked breathlessly as she came run
ming to my side.
Il lighted them. Isn't 1t a glorious
bonfire?"
"Oh, Lucille, why did you do that?"
"To burn them for you, of course"
but Tom and were saving them
for compost Rotted leaves enrich the
soil wonderfully, and now they're
just about all gone. Oh, dear, what
Will Tom say7 We must put out the
fire before any more of the trees are
injured"
''InjuredT' / repeated.
Eyes, don't you see, Lucille, that all
the tender young foliage in the trees
around this fire is getting frizzled and
wiltedf We can carry water from the
pump. The garden hose won't reach
so far"
Carrying pals and pals of water
did not appeal to me as very in
teresting form of exercise, but. of
course, had to help her put out the
fire. Tom came home while we were
still at it, and he looked question
ut Carol.
"They got lighted by-by mistake"
she explained.
And look at those trees. don't
believe they will ever recover. Our
efforts at scientific gardening don't
seem to be highly successful" he re-
marked GROSSLY. He took the pail
from Carol. Dear. you look all in.
I'll finish up this fire in short order"
He scarcely greeted me at all, and
neither of them appeared to notice
that | was almost exhausted. 1t is
really trying to be with people who
are so selfishly wrapped up in each
other as are the Nodines.
Carol went to bed Immediately az
ter dinner, because. as Tom explained,
the smoke had hurt her eyes and
made her head ache. He apologized
for having to devote his time to some
government blue prints, and ! had
such a dreary evening that decided
to take the opportunity to get some
extra beauty sleep, and went to bed
myself before 10.
When | found the next morning
that Tom had gone to the city and
Carol was still in her room with her
headache, hastily gathered charm
ing big bunch Of lilacs. and leaving
. note for her, took the mid-morning
train for home. I felt that Carol had
rnN naada fha effort III get I'm and en-