Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1901-02-26
BRIARDALE MANOR.

1t dangled so perllously over inc roau-
way that Cissie Melville had to exer-
else the greatest care in cutting it of.
Reaching forward until her daintily-
shod feet seemed scarcely to touch the
ladder, she sandwiched the stalk be-
tween two little fingers, drew a long
breath and brought the scissors to-
gether smartly
"BotherationW she exclaimed, as
the heavy fruit slipped from her nerv-
Gus grasp and fell over the high wall.
'Did 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. | wonder where it has
rolled to-"
Setting herred lips, she climbed to
the topmost rung Of the ladder,
clutched the wall and looked over.
Then she pulled back her head with
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.
Gle was sitting there when it
dropped" she thought, "and meansto
eat it when the coast is clear The
wretch! how dare hep"
Summoning all her courage to her
aid, she coughed twice in semi
apologize way, leaned over the wall
once more and timidly addressed her
self TO the occupant Of the bench
"Do you mind handing me that
pearl" she asked. "It fell over as
was cutting it, and really can'tspare
it. There isn't another on the tree"
The young man made noanSwer.
Either he was deaf or did not want
to hear Cissie thought the latter,
and raised her voice somewhat
haughtily.
"May | trouble you to return that
pearl" she repeated, a flush of an
noyance crimsoning her checks 81
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
shamming Must l drop stones on
his hat, or go round tohim? Perhaps
the latter course would be the wiser. 3"
The orchard was long way from
the gate, but she ran her hardest, and
in go seconds reached the bench.
Quick though she had been, the young
man had taken advantage of the in
terval to rouse himself, and was gaz-
ing at the mellow pear with sleepy
wonder IN his big brown eyes.
Your pardon" said Cissie, APP
preaching him with sudden shyness,
"but that pear belongs to me, was
clumsy and allowed it to slip through
my fingers"
The young man laughed unsteady
and lifted his hat, revealing a curly
brown head and bronzed arstocrat-
ic-looking face
"Another disappointment he
said, restoring the fruit CALAMITY. 81
was half under the impression that
some good fairy had developed pen
chant for me, and sent me this is a
special mark of favor but it seems
was a little premature How much
farther is it TO Briardale hall, please?
That stone over here says three miles,
but | sincerely hope it's laboring I'M
der delusiop"
Cissie reluctantly Confined the
milestone's declaration, and the stran-
ger rose with a sjifed 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 impulsively
called on him to stay.
"Do sit down again" she cried.
TYou look tired, and they ought to
have told you at the station how far
II was. They never will. though, for
they don't like the tIauble Of hunting
up Az. See, uncle i semA,g a ire
road, and Tn ere Aswili n ~
CA a1p t u. =. (. 4