The pathway, which was
recently gravelled from the adjacent sand-hills, ran in
a straight line from the verandah, toward the little
green gate, opening on the front of the garden, took a
semi-circular sweep on either side, at about one-third
of the distance from the gate. This form had been given
to it for the purpose of affording room for the creation
of a mound, on the summit of which had been placed a
small summer-house, octagon in shape, and constructed of
the same description of trellis-work. The sloping sides
of the mound itself, were profusely covered with dahlias,
rhododendrons, geraniums, and other plants of the most
select kind--the whole forming, when in bloom, a circle
of floral magnificence. A short and narrow path, just
large enough to admit of the passage of one person at a
time, led to the entrance of the summer-house, which,
facing the gate, was also shaded from the light and heat
of the sun's rays, by closely interlacing vines.
At the bottom of this artificial mound, and near the
pathway, a small spud, such as is used for pruning, was
stuck into some earth, newly drawn round a splendid tiger
lily, and on the handle of the spud, were loosely thrown
a white silk jacket, a blue velvet cap, and a light pink
scarf--evidencing that no ordinary gardener had been that
day employed in bringing into new life the gorgeous
beauties of the variegated parterre.
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