The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-10-29
UNDER AN APPLE TREE

of seventeen On the first week OF the
eighteenth summer my troubles began.
| was boarding at my Aunt Jerusha
AIMS farmhouse. How shall describe
Belle SOmers? 1t is a useless task.
The first time | saw her fell violently
in love with her. The second time
declared myself.
Regal damsel." | began, "allow me
to Introduce myself as David Shorter,
at your service"
I'm very happy TO have the honor;
but. young man, don't you think your
paternal ancestors made a slight mis-
take in your surname? They ought TO
have called you David Longer. should
think" she said. ! stood four feet in
my boots, which had been pacsSe with
double heels TO make me appear of
respectable size
81 beg your pardon. fair damSel,
said l. dropping this time very arts
tically on one knee. 81 assure you
have no wish but TO serve you"
She smiled on me most bewitchingly.
"Are you really in earnest?' she ask
ed. would you do anything for meT
Most assuredly. my enchantress"
exclaimed delighted |.
We'll. my kitten has just run up that
tree yonder." said she, pointing TO an
ample tree at little distance. Il want
her very much. If you will get her for
me. l shall then believe that you care
for me-"
The trunk Of the tree was rough and
full of notches, so l had no difficulty
thus far, but just as l had raised my
self carefully up and was about to lay
my hand on the cat the provoking little
animal took it into her head TO give
me a longer chase and darted on
among the higher branches.
followed. of course. and soon found
myself in the awfulest snarl that ever
mortal got into. My face and hands
were terribly scratched, my coat ad-
iusted with such care, torn and frayed
and my cap twisted every which way.
At last the little varmint crawled out
on one Of the branches. and l, as
matter of course, followed suit.
advanced cautiously. and just as
my hand touched her, crash! and down
went the branch. kitten and myself, she
falling underneath and uttering a most
dreadful squeal as my knee pinned her
TO the earth.
After laying still for moment to
collect my scattered senses l picked
myself and the kitten up and. flushed
and triumphant, bore her to her mis-
tresS.
With a most bewitchlng smile Belle
held out her hand. l seized it in my
own and. throwing myself on one knee
before her, cried out in passionate
tones:
"Oh, Belle. my love. my adorable
angel Wit thou beStOw upon poor
trembling me this lovely hand|'
/ stopped at this juncture and, taking
out my pocket handkerchief, wiped the
perspiration from my brow.
Belle had her hands before her face,
and | thought she was weeping.
So, rising to my feet, l strove to take
away her hands and draw her into my
arms; but. TO my surprise, she looked
up and, with a merry little laugh. said;
ooh, David, David. so and let Miss
Jerusha see how fascinating you look!'
"Oh. Belle will you not be mine?"
"No. David" she replied. Il don't
think | win So be a good boy and
don't bother me any more"
~ will ask no more now, dearest.
Take a week to think over it in and
keep your final decision until then viii
your
"Wen. yes" she said after a mo-
ment's hesitation. Meet me under the
apple tree next Thursday, and l will
tell you then"
1t was useless to attempt TO describe
that long, lonely week Of waiting.
1t at last passed away. however, and
when the happy day arrived l was at
the place appointed.
ASH approached the spot slight rus
tie in the bushes told me that l was
waited for, and the next moment l
stood face 10 face with the lovely Belle.
David" she began before i could
speak, II don't want TO be your wife,
and therefore it's out of the question"
Where is the wretch that has stolen
you from meT" ] cried, and, seeing a
manly form among the bushes, l dash
ed forward.
l haven't a very distinct remem-
brance Of what happened. All recol-
lect is that after a good many hard
knocks 1 found myself taken by the
neck and heels and pitched over the
fence, where l landed on the grass.
determined to end my miserable life
as soon as possible. Then l stole down
stairs for a bottle Of laudanum had
seen on the pantry shelf, with which
determined to end my sorrows.
But, fearing to light lamp lest 1t
should disturb Aunt Jerusha, l got by
mistake bottle of castor oil and took
an immense dose before / discovered
my mistake.
In few days, however, was up |
again and learned that Belle had left
the place.-New York News.