The morning call., 1891-09-11
THAT OLD APPLE TREE.

Yes, Mrs. Humphrey Harland's dance
vas proving decided success No wonder
that the hostess looked down the long room
with a grattied, perfectly cOntented smile.
II certainly did look like a corner in fairy
land, with the delicate lace hangings, with
myriad lights dancing through the spark
ling chandeliers, the dark green Of the
palms and the bloom of the aZaleas to add
to the picturesque effect of the scene. Last,
but not least were the merry faces and
the pink, blue and violet hues of the
dresses to give dash Of rainbow brightness
to it all.
Perhaps the happIest couple there was
Dick SerriH and Kitty Carroll; but that was
because the two happened to be lovers, aud
because-but therel l shall have TO go back
a little in MY story.
Everybody thought Oakville pretty little
place. 1t had real staid, oid-fashioned home
Steads, with wide gables and dormer WIN
Gows. Then there we're also more preten-
tious modern cottages, with lots OF quaint
angles and little turretS rising from unac-
countabie corners of tie roof In two OF the
first lived Judge Serrll and Colonel Carroll.
The houses stood side by side, and looking
at them one would certainly think they were
very good nPighb0rS. They agreed so well
together. Each had big copper bee Oh to
shade the long piazza from the glare or the
afternoon sun. Each had the same stretch
of grassy lawn and the same roses blooming
in the wide gardens. But, alas! how often
are appearances deceptive; for the respective
he ids Of the two families had fallen out,
and all about an apple tree which stood eX-
actiy on line between the two gardens.
1t hap ened one hot day when the two
old gentlemen had allowed their tempers to
rise with the increase IN the thermometer.
Ii stlrteG with Colonel Carroll saying Some-
thing about "hs" apple tree, whereupon tine
Judge took Otfense at the Appropriation OF
what he considered his property, and
begged the Colonel, in more fOrclDle than
polite terms, TO remember that that apple
tree was mis-" Was there not certainly
one more branch on his side OF the fence
than on the ColonePs?
Well, the result was quarrel, which
threatened to be as disastrous as the famous
cid Montagu-Capuletf eud. 1t certainly did
succeed in making two young hearts very
miserable, namely those OF Dick Serrlll,
aged q, and Kitty Carroll, aged 49,
But to return to Mrs. Harland's party.
The two had been dancing, but were now
sitting on the wide veranda. with the stars
for cumpany and the music OF the "Aut
Wiederseheu" floating out from within.
Say, Kitty, | wonder if l were to ask"
Yes, YES, Dick | know what you would
saw" she interrupted hurriedly, but 1t is
no use. You know the last time you men
toned it to Your father you said he Just
pointed 10 that apple tree and told you when
tina. fell then You would have his consent.
As for papa, be declares SOlemnly that while
that apple tree stands 1t can never bel
That means about the same thing, doesn't
u?" Here she ends with a doleful little
ION, dear half sob, which goes straight TO
her lovers heart.
well, never mind, Kitty darling 1t
might be a great deal worse" he says con-
soiiugly. You know he could stop your
speaking to me altogether. | wonder he
has net done it already. SO don't spoil your
pretty eyes by crying. Wen have happy
time tonight in spite of that Id apple tree"
Everybody knows the soothing etfet OF
delicious, dreamy waltz; and, after all,
young hearts we're buoyant, and happily
they live in the present. Then Miss Kitty
was conscious OF particularly becoming
Dress, and when one sees admiration plainly
written in the loved ones eyes one can
afford to allow little of the sorrow to float
away with the music of the Blue Danube"
Spring, the time OF blossoms and thunder
stormsl Nature has been slowly waking
from her nap and the trees are all in bloom.
Foremost among them, that apple tree"
with its dress of pink and white-tinted
blossoms covering its worn old branches, is
a goodly sight. Kitty Carroll with Dick
SeTrill on her way to the woods to gather
arbutus cannot but admire its beauty and
wealth Of delicate coloring. But Dick re-
fuses to praise It. Every one Of its branches
seems TO him just so many bars against
their future happiness. Therefore he looks
at it with a decidedly "evil eye"
"Pll tell you what, Kitty" he declares,
eff this :hing does not stop snon some night
III get an ak and in the morning when all
hands waken-presto, change this tree
will be gone. Anyway, l believe they're
tired Of OUaTTnliup 0DlV thew haVR tn
keep it up since it's once started. If only
one or the other would give in the fraction
of an inch it would be all right"
"Oh, but, Dick, you wouldn't dare cut it
down." and here she looks up with big,
round, frightened eyes, and uncOnsciOusly
clasps her hands around her lovers arm at
the very thought of such wickedness.
Never mind, I'm certain something will
make it all right very soon. If you promise
not to laugh III tell you something" Then
she goes on in mysterious whisper:
last night l had dream. l thought l
was down in the kitchen and Biddy was
making a big, round, white cake, and when
/ asked her what 1t was for she said: La,
Miss Kitty, shure and We know tits your
wrddin' cake, thrue enough Anyway 1
just believe It's good sign," she ends up
triUmphantly.
How sad it is that spring skies are seldom
in sympathy with lovers rambles! While
the two had been busly walking and talking
the clouds had beer gathering, and sudden
flash Of lightning recalled them to their
senses
Now Kitty was almost perfect. Her one
and only fault was an awful fear of thunder
and lightning. She mustered up her courage
and they sped along as fast as they could
Just then another and brighter flash darted
across the sky and the rain-drops began to
fail.
"Oh Dick, whatever shall we doP I'm so
afraid On, that horrid lightningP'
Never mind, Kitty, darling; give me
your hand and we'll run as fast as we can
for the old hut and stay there until ii is all
over"
They reached the shelter of the wood
cutters cabin just in time. There was an
other lurid DART followed by loud clap
of thunder.
Poor Kitty hid her face on Dicks shoul-
der. moaning: II know it has struck On,
know it has struck!'
Spring, tickle as she generally is, in half
an hour had swept the clouds from the sky,
and out came the blue, and the sun shone
all the more genially for his little holiday.
But when Dick and Kitty. the prettier be-
cause Of the little ringlets the raindrops had
curled up on her forehead, ana the damp
rose flush on her cheeks, turned into the
garden path what do you think they saw?
That apple tree" which had 80 lately
bloomed In magnificent beauty, shattered
ialu lOW ny llSnJnlhB uart! anu wonders
upon wonders. there were the old Judge
and Colonel absolutely shaking hands oyel
the fallen victiml
! was at the wedding the spring after o.
course the bride looked lovely and every.
body happy. But what do you think
There was big round cake. just as neal
like the one Kitty saw in her dream as coul(
be, and she would not let any one but Biddy
make it, either. The brides bouquet? Why
that was of pple-blossoms.-A. S. w. In
Philadelphia Times.
RETURN OF AN AGED PRODIGAL
Levi HertzeI Found by His Family
After Thirty-Si Years. Separation.
In the fall of 1S42 Levi Hertzell Iooatad a