St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-03-16
BRIARDALE MANOR.

It was the only pear on the tree, and
it dangled so perilously over theroad-
way that Cissie Melville had to exer-
else the greatest care in cutting it off.
Reaching forward until her daintily-
shod feet seemed scarcely to touch the
ladder, she sandwiched the stalk be-
tween two little fingers, drew long
breath and brought the scissors to-
gether smartly.
f'Botherationw she exclaimed, as
the heavy fruit slipped from hernerv-
GUS grasp and fell over the high wall.
sDid anyone ever see such a stupid
pear? With all this nice soft grass to
fall on, it deliberately chooses to dash
itself to pieces by dropping into the
hard road. I wonder where it has
rolled to?"
Setting her red lips, she climbed to
the topmost rung of the ladder,
clutched the wall and looked over.
Then she pulled back her head with
q startled jerk, for the perverse pear
was reclining serenely on the wooden
bench Immediately below, within easy
reach of a dark-haired, well-propor-
toned young man.
HE was sitting there when it
dropped" she thought, and meansto
eat it when the coast is clear. The
wretch! how dare he?"
Summoning all her courage to her
aid, she coughed twice in a semi
apologetic way, leaned over the wall
once more and timidly addressed her
self to the occupant of the bench.
'tDo you mind handing me that
pear@ she asked. SIt fell over as I
was cutting it, and I really can'tspare
it. There isn't another on the tree"
The young man made no answer.
Either he was deaf or did not want
to hear. Cissie thought the latter,
and raised her voice somewhat
haughtily.
@May I trouble you to return that
pear@ she repeated, flush of an
noyance crimsoping her checks. q
particularly wish you to do So.
Still no reply from the young man
below. With his chin sunk on his
breast and his straw hat tilted over
his face, he sat quietly on the bench,
and showed no sign of life save faint
vibration of his massive shoulders.
Asleep" concluded Cissie, cor
ehamming. Must I drop stones on
his hat, or goround to him? Perhaps
the latter course would be the wiser.
The orchard was a long way from
the gate, but she ran her hardest, and
in 60 seconds reached the bench.
Quick though she had been. the young
man had taken advantage Of the in
teryal to rouse himself, and was gaz-
Ing at the mellow pear with sleepy
wonder IN his big brown eyes.
''Your pardon" said Cissie. ap-
preaching him with sudden shyness.
s'but that pear belongs to me. / was
clumsy and allowed it to slip through
my fingers"
The young man laughed musically
and lifted his hat, revealing a curly
brown head and bronzed aristocrat-
ic-looking face.
Another disappointment, he
said, restoring the fruit CALAMITY. 81
was half under the impression that
some good fairy had developed a PEN
chant for me, and sent me this is a
special mark Of favor, but it seems t
was a little premature. How much
farther is it to Briardale hall, pleases
That stone over there says threemiies.
but I sincerely hope it's laboring un-
der delusion."
Cissie reluctantly confirmed the
milesfone's declaration, and the stran-
ger rose with stifed sigh. She
thought him lazy at first, but when
he commenced to walk and she saw
how badly he limped her heart was
moved to pity, and she impulsirely
called on him to stay.
DO sit down again.. she cried.
Y on look tired, and they ought to
have told you at the station how far
it wasa.. They never vii, though, for
they don't like the trouble Of hunting
up d fly. See, uncle is coming up the
road, and I'm sure he will gladly give
you soma lunch" "