Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-03-19
BRIARDALE MANOR.
G@@@@@@%@@@@@%@@@%%@%%@

ut was the only pear on the tree,
and it dangled so perilously over
- the roadway that Cissie Melville
had TO exercise the greatest care in cut
ting it off. Reaching forward, until her
dainty shot feet seemed scarcely to
touch the ladder, she sandwiched the
stalk between two little fingers, drew a
long breath and brought the scissors to-
gether smartly.
Setting her red lips, she climbed to the
topmOst rung of the frail ladder, clutch
ed the wall and looked over. Then she
pulled back her head with n startled
jerk, for the perverse pear was reclin-
ing seTenely on the wooden bench be-
low, within easy reach of dark-hair-
ed, weIl-proportioned young man.
He was sitting there when it drop
ped" she thought, land means to eat
II 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
ana kLAluiN uuANSStu hCASLAA W NAAC
occupant of the bench.
do you mind handing me that
pearl" she asked. 1T fell over as
was cutting it. and really can't spare
it. There isn't another on the tree"
The young man made on answer
Asleep" said Cissie, cor shamming.
Must l drop stones on his hat. or so
round 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
reached the bench. Quick though She
had been. however, the young man had
taken advantage of the interval to
rouse himself. and was gazing ut the
mellow pear with sleepy wonder in his
big brown eyes.
Your pardon" said CiSstc. approach
ing him with sudden ShyneSS. but that
pear belongs to me. I am clumsy and
allowed it TO slip through my fingers"
"Auother disappointment" he said.
restoring the fruit CALAMITY. Il was
half under the impression that some
good fairy had developed 4 penchant
for me and sent me this as Il special
mark Ct favor, but it seems I was 4
little premature. How much farther is
ii 10 Briardale Hail. please? That
stone over there says three miles. but
l sincerely hope it's laborinS under Il
deluSjOn."
CiSSle reluctantly confirmed the mile
stones declaration. and the stranger
rose with Stitled sigh. She thought
him lazy at first, but when he COM
menced 10 walk and she saw how bad
ly h. umpcd. her heart was moved 10
pity, and she impulSively called on him
20 stay.
DO sit down AGAIN. she cried. You
look tired, and they ought to have told
YOU az the station how far it was. They
never Will, though, for they don't like
the trouble Of hunting up a fly. Sec.
uncle IS coming up the road. and I'm
sure lie will gladly give YOU some
lunch"
Longing with all his heart to accept
this generous invitation. and yet doubt
ful Of the propriety of il, the young
man hesitated. and while he did SO the
rector came within sight Of him and
gave joyful cry Of recognition.
These two, it seemed. had known
each other years before-indeed. the
versatile rector had himself coached
the young man for the army and had
danced for joy when his pupil came on
well-and the unexpected meeting so
delighted them both that they taIke,i
and laughed like SchoOlboys at a pic
mic.
Run in. CisSle, and get Capt. Clin-
ton some lunch" said the rector fond
Is Don't wait for an introduction.
You'll be like old friends when you've
known each other fye minutes, take
ply word for it
The pleasant little lunch was almost
4 ever before Percy spoke Of the GRAND
which had brought him to Briardale.
7 Then be told the rector that he had
come TO see The owner or Briardale