The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-01-20
Two IN a Posy
Garden
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
(Copyright.)

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next doOr-an over-the-fence imper-
sonal chat occasionally about flowers
shrubs, grubs, etc When their sepa-
rate garden operations brought them
near enough the dividing line to make
conversation a neighborly courtesy
they exchanged IDEAS
1t was therefore with a sense of
sudden loss that Scott watched his
fair neighbor and her aunt leaving
apparently for a long journey
judging by the amount of luggage,
steamer tagged, which burdened the
station taxi. He felt sorry for her
garden, too; with no attention it would
be unable to battle against the heat
and would present a sad aspect when
Its owner returned.
He was relieved, a few days later,
to see a comfortable-looking couple
coming to the house-apparently 1t
had been let furnished. That might
insure care being given the garden.
1t didn't, however, and Scott
watched with sickening feelings the
| idpiu bClCi VI IllI loNCu
garden on which its fair owner had
expended so much care. He used
to see her, up early in the morning,
tending and nourishing the flowers so
dearly bought or coming home after
business hours laden with impover-
ished plants. Scott supposed she had
to buy at bargain prices but it was
nothing less than a miracle the way
they responded to good care and nour-
| ishment.
He fretted and fretted, as day by
day the girls garden suffered and
dropped. No water, no mulching no
trimming, and not even the profuson
Of blooms picked.
Scott took the matter into his own
hands and knocked at the door of his
neighbours house.
Madam" asked Scott, "would you
object if l take a few mornings car
ing for the garden? 1 have much
spare time and know the young lady
who left would appreciate it. She's
tremendously keen on her garden"
The tenant of the house was only too
pleased, because, as she said, 1--WE are
city folks, and don't know a thing
about gardening"
So Scott set to work that evening
with hose and hoe and clippers and
enjoyed his neighborly task i'm
mensely. He enjoyed it even more
when he realized suddenly that there
was a charming daughter in the fam
lily and that she was standing close be-
side him offering him her assistance.
I'm not much of a gardener" she
said shyly, "but would just love to
help you if you would show me how"
Her eyes were so pleasing and so
blue that Scott was certain he would.
"You might start by cutting some
sweet peas-and taking off all the
withered Ones" he told her, and she
turned obediently. He watched her
tear at the vines until he couldn't
stand 1t and swiftly handed her his
blunt little scissors. Better to cut
them gently" he said.
And when she learned he was a nov
elist she bought one of his books.
Before many weeks had passed Scott
was beginning to forget the owner of
the house and garden and to look for
ward with joy to Ethel Wade's return
from the Office and their evenings to-
gether. He wondered if he were tickle
or whether the other interest had been
merely that of two garden lovers.
Helen Fairfax and her aunt re
turned on the same day that her
tenants went back to the city. She
was enraptured with the beauty of
her garden and her eyes glowed hap
PLY.
Eyes" said Ethel, 81 have worked
terribly hard taking care of it all by
myself. She looked at Helen swiftly,
then added, II asked to borrow hoe
from that man next door, but he was
so boorish about 1t that 1 wouldn't
take it."
Helen glanced back In amaZement.
ooh he didn't look like that type of
man. I won't borrow from him, then"
Which of course was exactly what
Ethel wanted.
But next morning early when the
sun was just over the house tops
Helen slipped out into her garden and
was touching all her plants with
loving fingers, pressing her face into
the big roses, when she was startled
to hear the voice of Scott welcoming
her home.
She smiled gayly and returned his
greeting. 81 am glad to get back to
my flowers" she told him, "and that
young girl says she has worked like
slave so 1t would be nice for me
to come back to. Wasn't 1t kind Of
herr"
Scott couldn't quite believe his ears,
but certainly no one could doubt the
truth in the lovely eyes looking with
such curious directness into his own.
very" he said His fingers found
n bit Of paper on which the address Of
Ethel was written and he calmly lit
his pipe with it.
81 could hardly stand It to leave
my garden but I couldn't afford to
turn down the very catering offer my
employer made me to go abroad with