| Show loves tangled paths just before he reached the ragged white washed fence that ran around the apple orchard danvers paused aud drew from his pocket a small oval framed picture for a second he lulled regretfully at the dainty brune face that laughed up into his eyes then with sudden pe alance he thrust the miniature into his breast and strode rapidly toward the small re evolving gate through that and on among the low autumn ap pies A seven days voyage composed chiefly of mal de mer and a rain slopped deck had not served to stimulate the flagging spirits that had corn fenced their downward course on the day before he left heidelberg and the trip from new york to chicago brought no recompense nothing in fact beyond a cinder grimed and ex cee anxious countenance As he neared the familiar hedge of wild rose behind which reposed an old fashioned vine laced hotel his heart sank within him three years ago he had told dolly pemberton goodby on its great slanting porch and gone forth to win fame and wealth that he might lay them at the feet of his ladylove how different this to the pictured home coming then no piquant face with bobbing curls rose to dim the brightness of his sweetheart s eyes now no throbbing pulses hurried him on with outstretch ed arme as of old poor little dolly he mused pity angly it Is but the remnant of a heart that I 1 bring back to you but he choken down a rebellious knot in his throat and the girl who has given me her trust and and love never 1 now what a a cad I 1 have 1 eena he stole a final look at the pictured face over hisa heart and set his lips to the inevitable where the path branched he stopped tor a moment dundei a wide spread ing russet and pulling off his bat brushed back the thick mop of brown hair that clung to his forehead on the grass at his feet a few over ripe apples gleamed gold in the dapple sunlight danvers stooped and picked up one biting into it reflectively with his strong white teeth charley he started and glanced about him then up at the fruit weighted limbs dolly he exclaimed and dropped his apple A quite unexpected pleasure said she smiling at him through the red dening leaves won t you come up I 1 meant to surprise you returned he swinging himself to an opposite branch and I 1 m glad you call it a pleasure it is my first vacation in a bood many moons when did you arrived asked dol ly and who drove you outa I 1 reached chicago last night and 1 walked out this morning walked eight milesa of course it was worth while dont you think soa he replied sig you were very silly was her comment besides how did you know she broke off a trifle em barr assed and toyed with the end of her tie that you were herec oh I 1 found that out be sure however wella you haven t forgotten that every summer until I 1 came you would be of course she broke in hurriedly I 1 am always here nearly danvers stared at her curiously did she care very much thena had I 1 known that he said slowly I 1 should have come last night im very glad you said dolly it you mean that you would have walked love laughs at vehicles he put in quickly hating himself 0 love I 1 she laughed a little odd ly and looked off then after a moment I 1 thought it was lock smiths she spoke absently her face still averted at anything that stands in its way danvers pursued with deep ening eyes something subtle and halt remembered stirred in his heart and he felt a queer flush rise to his temples true he was but acting a part but the part was all at once strangely real to him in all those years said he you did not write she regarded him intently for a moment through contracted lashes danvers eyes tell under her ecru tiny you did not write he re heated moodily no she said nor you nor I 1 still she continued that was agreed upon yes he admitted with slow smile but I 1 thought perhaps yes she mimicked and I 1 thought perhaps too maybe oh well said he with a anny little laugh absence makes the heart grow fonder so ive heard itte looked at her searchingly jeaneth the loved one from bouy corrected dolly with an airy toe 01 her yellow curls you believe thata she laughed really sometimes she aou are different said danver aulay oice from the girl I 1 left he att led that she would rally on his u quenches quen cles anything but this fl url fn an A new light glimmered on tt P situation and the girl in the picture din med ir aa he looked at the living girl who had been the first to stir his heau dolly surprised his odd look and her cheeks pink ened what is ita she asked smiling I 1 was just wondering he replied frowning wella oh it you had forgotten all forgotten old friends certainly not do ou think me a heartless in prated she inquired dimpling after a second s silence she clasped her bands at the back of her head laugh ing merrily in the old way she had that he remembered so well danvers grew hot and discomfited and bit his lip in quick vexation dolly pining for him and laying her heart and thoughts on the altar of his love another woman s face shrines his own was a very different matter from dolly casting his advances and protestations back in his teeth in this frivolous style he had come home on his vacation with the express determination ol 01 acting the part of an honorable gentleman he thought bitterly and flying his own dearest hopes to grim duty in reality he hal come to have the veil torn from his eyes and to learn that life held but one ty of happiness for him dolly 1 she loved him of course but with characteristic coquetry was de ed to make him suffer a little before the final capitulation darling he began eagerly throw ing aside all rein his hands out stretched to hers you A step araci led on the dry twigs under a neighboring tree and dandera muttered something ungraceful under his breathe its just jack explained dolly with an inscrutable little smile jack Is my husband you know boston globe |
