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Show LOVE FINDS A HOME I By Irma Reitci ANNE hardly had time to slip her sister's letter Into her apron pocket, when Steve came In. "I I got a letter from Linda today," Anne volunteered. "Yes? What does the successful career girl have to say? "You remember the Marshalls who came out with Linda last year, don't you? Linda says they actually want to buy this place" "Buy?" Steve turned puzzled eyes toward Anne. "Oh, isn't It wonderful, Steve," Anne hurried on. "We can get an apartment near Linda. And I'm sure I can get my job back at the Agency" "Hold it, Anne. I don't quite understand" "There's nothing to understand, dear," Anne laughed nervously, "except that we can get rid of this place " "This place?" Steve's voice was suddenly icy. "That's all It is to you. Of course, you never did try to make it a home. But, I planted those trees. They art part of me and I have no Intention of selling." Steve laughed bitterly. "You promised" "I promised I'd try to like living liv-ing in the country. Well, I tried, for two years" "How often have you soiled those beautifully manicured finger tips by digging Into the earth And how many times have you been down to the orchard, or oh. what's the use " "Yes. what's the use?" Anne's voice rose shrilly. "It doesn't matter mat-ter to you that I hate this place. That T hate living out here away from everything." Steve looked at Anne for a long moment, then walked out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind him. "I'm going to Linda's tomorrow," tomor-row," Anne shouted defiantly. "I'm going to pack my suitcase right now " Anne watched Steve's retreating figure until it reached the orchard, then she wearily turned toward the bedroom. Low rolling thunder made her whirl about, and run to the window. A strong north wind veered toward to-ward the orchard. Anne's heart began to beat furiously as she watched. If the wind would destroy de-stroy again, the way It had last year maybe Steve would listen to reason, then. The wind shook the trees In a frenzy of destruction. On by one the branches bent down, until the tips kissed the sodden earth beneath them. For a breathless moment they lay there, then, slowly at first. Inch by Inch, they battled their way up, until, with one final effort, thoy snapped upright. Anne moaned, then turned defeated de-feated steps toward the bedroom again. Her last hope was gone. Now Steve Stevel A sudden wave of terror swept over Anne. He had been out there In that storm. He might be hurt" The door flew open, and a moment mo-ment later she was in Steve's arms. "Did the storm frighten you. darling?" Steve asked anxiously. "No. but you are you all right?" "I got a little wet, that's all," Steve grinned. "But I did a lot of thinking out there. Nothing Is more important than your happiness. You can write Linda that it's O.K. We'll go to the city" The city. Bright lights, theaters, concerts. Anne waited for the feeling feel-ing of elation, but nothing happened. hap-pened. She begi n to laugh softly. The theater? Cc -rts? What could compare with the drama she had Just witnessed? And the birds and the crickets and the frogs, they made the sweetest music. "Anne, sweetheart, what's wrong?" "Why, nothing dear," Anne laughed. "Come let's see what the storm has done to our orchard And later, Steve, we'll write Linda that our home is not for sale And never will be." she concluded as Steve's lips met hers. : 1 |
