Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-04-17
e:s Storyette
THE OLD APPLE TREE.

l was disappointed In my friend.
We had arranged to spend the dag
on the river. ! had not met him for
years, not since our Ballot days, UNI
I'll | saw him again after seven years
al the varsity sports In the early
spring. He was the same as ever,
stanch and genuine, and generous.
II was he who had suggested and
settled the details OF our trip on the
river IL was to be on June Is, and
we were TO have had long, healthy.
exhilarating day, with plenty Of hard
exercise and a long chat about old
times.
The day came and was In the
river rig at the bathhouse agreed
upon half an hour earlier than we
had mutually fixed
But Fry did not come know OF
nothing more irritating than to have
to hang about for another fellow to
turn up when one is alone ike that.
AT last | got a note by his servant.
His excuse for not coming seemed
&c me fllmsy one. His wife's father
had fixed a sudden meeting of family
trustees. and afterwards he had To
see his sister on business of con.
sequence relating to trust.
However, whether it was an excuse
or whether II was a reason he was
not coming with me for our projected
river trip-that was clear. II was
annoying, but | trust am too
philosophic to feel anything deeply
TINT he
manded the par-skiff, and had out
single canoe.
] was now In lovely backwater
more beautiful than the Thames Il.
self The bank side flowers were
more abundant and nearer to me-in.
deed they hedged me about. The
pale~blue eyes of innumerable forget
nienots smiled upon me, wild roses
and brambles boomed amid their
thorns, the leaves of the osiers
whispered everywhere. and weeping
willows hung their arching boughs
right across the narrow creek which
II now pleased me to explore.
While thus engrossed bending nv
head over the side of the canoe. in
which continued TO drift slowly
along | failed to notice how narrow
the creek had become until suddenly
found myself close to a lady living
ON lawn--so close that | was almos,
touching her. She was quite M tho
edge of the grass which sloped to
tn, river Half dozen cushions
were about her-her book Law omen
mad never seen so glorious
picture nor one that burst upon NV
vision SO suddenly.
she was something white and
dainty her hat was hung on branch
and the old. gnarled tree under whose
shade she reclined was covered Win
apples, Her hair was tangled and
golden, and her eyes fun of light ana
laughter.
For awhile sat staring at har IN
sewiiderment, Then stammered,
Where am IL"
Her answer was perfectly calm
nut II was not chill: no. her voic.
was so soft that the simplest words
she uttered We're a melody
You are In my fathers saraar E.
she said. 'e'
And -"
You are a trespasser."
But she smiled as she said ~ ,
smile that showed two rows Of near,
sparkling in the sunlight that dan.
pied her face. ""p
And you?" l said know no,
what | said but soon | asked bor
Lame, and she told me il was Eve
And this is paradise" I answers,
looking through the leaves of the an,
pie tree at all the beauties OF the ear.
den. e'H
Then we talked OF whatg ar
everything. OF solitude. OF friend,
ship of books; l fear. OF Csnada-
and of love.
Then she babe me 80. and could
not Nor would | if could. ana
when at length / obeyed hor and Was
about to so she tade me say.
So l stayed and soon had moorac
my canoe and stoad upon her lawn