Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-22
c ; Storyette
LADY ANN,s CHERRY ORCHARD.

Ella F. Mosbey in Springfield Re
publican,
There are times when our old earth
looks like a dream of Paradise
rose garden, or perhaps a cherry
orchard. when the world looks clad N
bridal white"
Lady AIMS cherry orchard" muir
INJURED somebody and MI. Knightly CID
not say nay.
81 always fancy when a light south
wind blows the fragrant petals over
me that feel like bridegroom wien
q fold of the brides shining veil falls
against him."
This enthusiasm from Mr.. Knightly,
who came to us few weeks ago with
a bad cut in his sword arm and a
face as black and glum as well could
be, and not word for anybody, ex-
cept our Barbara! The little one
piped up now.
did you laugh before breakfast,
Mr.. Knightly?"
way little maid, surely did not.
But why?"
Nurse says if you laugh so early
you must cry before night"
He might well have been excused
orchards, too, were fair and fragrant,
and out of the blue sky fell a show ar
of the lark's sweet notes and all the
world was green and fair. We our
selves were in joyous mood, for our
father, who had been taken prisoner,
was released on parole and was 20
return that day, and bring a friend
with him. He did not name the
friend, nor did we greatly care, for we
were SO glad of his coming that The
other mattered not much to any of us
Or SO we fancied.
"Ah, but how long the coach is in
coming" sighed Robin.
Five minutes would seem long to
an impatient lad" said l. perhaps
Mr.. Knightly will tell us a story and
make the time pass more quickly?"
Instantly all the lads were in a
ring about him. and entreated him to
be kind; and my mother added her
gentle request, which nobody ever re-
fused The old hawthorns by tho
roadside made natural harbor. and
when an April shower and a gust of
wind came it was still and dry under
meath the matted boughs, like being
at the heart of things where all is
peace.
Mr.. Knightly drew little Barbara
close beside him and began In the old
fashion by affirming twas a true tale
and he himself had seen the home in
Kent, set all about with the fairest of
cherry orchards in full bloom, with
Crimson and gold bars of sunset cloud
seen between their blossoms, and one
thrush singing it's sweetest song to
an unseen mate.
Twas Paradise time then he saio
for his friend was lover of LADY Ann
and they had just plighted their troth
and were to be welded when the king
was on his throne in safety and there
was peace in the land. It was Nav
In 164S. and his friend was one of the
Cornish Die Hards" as they called
the gallant band that served under
brave Sir Devil Greenvil. the best.
loved man in all Cornwall
'Sh!' exclaimed Hal was NOT he
the man who charged up Stratton Hill
sword in hand. with his poor soldiers
half-starved and having nought but q
handful OF powder, and routed the
parliament men and seized guns ant
baggage. as we'll as prisoners ir
plenty?"
Az my lad, the very man." an
s"ered Mr.. Knightly his face aglov
ana after that those soldiers coopee
up IN corner, and their leaders
Killed turned and flung themselve:
upon Sir William Walters army
winning the fight of Roundway Down
Those were brave DAVIS,
But Lady AIMS brother. who ha,
joined their band, was sorelv burt !,
one OF their fights. and NV friend
All just call him Mary Trelwaney. fo,
you know the old rhyme
Ire, Pol and Pen
Are the signs of Cornish men
RUE across country to take hin
acme where his sister might nurs
-,
him BACK into health and strength
Lady Ann was but 16 very heau+
aul and very proud, with a soft ros
color IN her cheeks, and hair of
shining ruddy brown and eyes velvet
ana dark, and yet shining, too an,
sweet II aught touched her heart !"
| could not help thinking Of m
friend, Nan Penreath, and it came :
my mind I had heard of title an
fortune that had come to her br
tnere are many Mans in our wild
England. 1t could scarce chance +ba
she were the same as the LADY An
Oh the cherry orchards in Kent
Mr. knightly was going, on with h
story
AS Mark Trelawney drew near II
Old manor house he remembered h
May sunset and the cherry blossom
white and fine as lady's lace, an
the blue sky overhead and suns,
CLOUDS below, and the shining eyes ,
the GEAR mistress of the orchard