The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-26
IN THE ORCHARD.

VIC 41cz0 W6A0Sf6u Ou6 11OO GO0 orchard
together. The air was full of the sunny
scent of apples. They reached down allur-
ingly to us from the laden boughs, and ev-
cry now and then one fell with thud that
had the unmistakable sound CT ripeness.
sought out pleasant spot for Miss Van
lour, saw her comfortably settled in it and
then lay down at her feet with a happy
sigh.
why didn't we think of this beforeS''
said.
lit was who thought of it," she said
"You can't claim any Of the credit
mo, the inspiration was yours. I am
grateful to you"
You will soon get tired of it," she
said
why" asked; s'how could I when
you brought 1nes'
II will go away "she said, s'if you are
going to be foolish
81 am not going to be foolish Consider
that have been packed in a close room
for an hour, with you at the other side of
it, and make some allowance for me now
that freedom is won. An orchard is one
of the most perfect things in the world
with you in it, 1 added
She let this pass, picked up fallen ap-
pie and looked at it curiously
care you going to eat it?'' I asked
She tossed it away with pout. "It's
not ripe
But you must eat apples in orchard.
Let me get you a ripe one. There are some
golden pippins over there. LookY'
pointed to great tree in front of US,
the largest within sight. had not the re-
1notest idea whether it was golden pip
pin or not. Miss Vanlour was certainly
not in a position to correct me, yet she
looked at me with unfeigned increduIity.
GLOW do you know it's a golden pip
pin?'' she asked.
"Oh, any one would know that!" I
said. "Shall get you one?''
rose and moved over to the tree.
Wait moment" she said. 81 will
choose the one 1 want
saw her eyes travelling to the top of the
tree, and there they rested, for she had
caught sight of a singularly fine and
beautifully shaped apple. To a practical
mind, however, it was obviously out of
reach. That, of course, was the one she
decided to have. She pointed it out to me
with elaborate care, and, I thought, was
not careful to conceal her doubt of my
ability to get it for her. AS a prelim-
mary I sat down again.
"You want that particular apple?"
asked.
Certainly she said, with an air of
grave conviction.
81 suppose you realize the risk?' I said
'If attempt to climb that tree, I shall
probably fall and break my neck have
not climbed for years. To shake the tree
would not be fair to my hosts apples
looked at her from my couch in the
soft grass. The gravity of the situation
did not appear to impress her in the least.
Indeed, she laughed and shook tantaliz-
ing forefnger at me.
You offered to get me one,' she said.
Il do not propose to withdraw my
promise, but must fulfill il on certain
conditions
A sudden idea had struck me- I re-
membered that 1 had always been a good
shot, and that my schooldays had mainly
been remarkable for my capacity in that
direction. My aim had always been more
accurate than my rendering of PRO
Balbo." 1t was gift likely to be of some
use ct last
WELL - she said, ''what are your condi-
| tions?''
IF I get that apple, said, 81 am
! going to ask you a serious question, to
which you must give me a serious answer.
! Is it 9 bargain?''
She flushed quickly and considered for
! a moment. She knew quite we'll what
the question would be, and my heart
throbbed audibly waited for her reply.
! When it came, her voice had deeper note
in it.
! dS1OS ~ JOAI COAO1bIOAS, SIG Sbt1Q
got slowly to my feet again and made
| journey to the orchard wall, returning
with dozen loose stones of convenient
size. Miss Vanlour watched my proceed
| ings with undisguised surprise.
What on earth are you going to do?'
she asked.
81 am going to knock down that apple
for you,'' said.
81 thought ytRl were going to climb up
for it!'
eff this method fails, vill'tfy the 9TH
er,' said. ''You see, ifsI fell, it might
be unpleasant for you, and also might
not be in a condition to ask my question.
will try this first
I began with a little practice. Four
shots brought down two apples. Miss
Vanlour watched me with an earnestness
that the occasion hardly seemed to war
rant. Then l sent three skirlnishing shots
round the apple on which my fate depend
ed, just to make sure of the steadinesS of
! my nerves. The next two were unmis-
taxable wides, and I had to take mo-
ment's rest to reassure myself began to
wish devoutly that 1 had kept up my
practice in the only art in which l was
ever likely to excel But the next vindi-
Gated my supremacy in the neatest possible
manner The apple fell within six yards
of Miss VanIour's feet. She gave little
exclamation L ran to pick it up. When
came back, she was standing waiting for
me. held it out to her. She took it
from my hand and affected to examine it
critically.
"Why, this is overripel' she said.
"Im sorry, but perfect ripeness was not
one of the conditions of our bargain. I
am going to ask my question now" I
said.
We were both silent for moment. Miss
Vanlour's easy confidence seemed to have
deserted her. She was even little en-
barrassed. For myself the sight of her
standing there with the apple in her hand
and on the brink of the fulhllment of her
promise was so pleasing that could have
wished the situation might last longer.
But 1 asked my question, and later we