THE PRIVATE GARDEN 



"It may be," she sighed, but with an uncon- 

 vinced shrug. And still, before the summer was 

 gone, the garden sedately, yet very sweetly, 

 smiled again and even the visitors ventured 

 back. 



That was nearly three years ago. Only a 

 few weeks since those two were in the company 

 of an accomplished man who by some chance 

 being a Frenchman had met and talked with 

 this mother and her husband. 



"We made a sad bungle there," said the 

 visitors. 



"Do not think it !" he protested. "They are 

 your devoted friends. They speak of you with 

 the tenderest regard. Moreover, I think they 

 told me that last year ' 



"Yes," rejoined one of the visitors, "last year 

 their garden took one of the prizes." 



161 



