The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-03
MISS EDWINSoN'S TOE.

7 HAVE a grheat mind to take my
book and depart. l cannot read
| l here with that man staring at me-"
| thought Miss Edwinson.
| She rose and gazed across the pas
ture-hot and buzzing with the insect
! life Of late August; the quivering air
palpitating in drowsy sound.
at looks pretty warm, but there is ii
lovely. cool spot down by the brook,
| where the big elm will shade me all the
| afternoon she mused. IL think I'll
go. Possibly my fisherman will come
along"
Smiling little sadly. she turned into
the wide door of the small summer ho-
tel. and presently emerged with shade
hat and parasol, fair and dainty pic
ture.
"Very attractive girl. very" observed
young Lowell as he craned his neck In
admiration. who is she, Jane?"
"IIh, oh! Miss Edwinson. Hcs. she
is quite good looking" answered his
sister. looking up from he. magazine
and giving her glasses a twitch. "She
came with the Hamiltons a month ago.
An orphan, think. Dresses very WE'LL
Bright and pretty. but not very socia-
be."
'Who is the tall chap that seemed so
devoted last night-the fellow with the
brown mustache and gray eyes?"
You mean Mr.. Birdsall. ! suppose.
Yes. he likes her. Lawyer from some
place in York state, I believe. l don't
know where he is this afternoon"
"I'ishin, l guess. l saw him starting
off with his traps just before dinner.
Well, he must like to tramp around In
this heat. Say, Jane, is she little
lame?"
"Why, no: Is she?'
Il thought she gave bit of hitch;
stepped as if her foot bothered her."
"Tight shoes, perhaps" said Jane
Lowell. laughing. mo, don't believe
so She rides. golfs and dances we'll.
1 never noticed it,"
"You are not very observing, you
know" smiled her brother, walking to
the end of the vine-clad railing. "She
certainly has a slight limp at times.
! wish you would introduce me IL you
know her we'll enough. Possibly she
would like change from the law to
the wool business"
II can arrange that. I'll have you
meet Mrs. Hamilton first, though"
said Jane, returning to her story.
The subject of their interest trudged
along through the tangles and grass
hoppers, climbed gingerly over
tumble-down stone wall, and finally
deposited herself at the base of
great tree whose branches dropped
nearly across the long, clear pool.
throwing soft shadows against the
wall of moss-grown rock opposite.
"My, but I'm hot" remarked Miss
Edwinson, adjusting herself comfort
ably and using her hat as a fan. I'll
cool off here, though, Pshaw! There's
a mosquito the first thing"
Back of her cat bird mewed and
scolded in the thorn bush. Overhead
an oriole swung and sang; song
sparrow hopped and made CHEEKY
music nearly at her feet: and red
squirrel scrambled and chartered in the
near branches of a gnarled butternut.
BY and by the girl threw down her
book. II can't read, and ! don't want
to think" she said aloud. How sweet
and restful it Is here away from the
people. If there was any sense In it
would wish that Howard Birdsall
would come along and talk to me-"
An impatient sigh made the sparrow
fly across the stream. II don't blame
you, BIRDIE" cried Miss Edwinson. I'm
not good company" She sat up. look
ing dreamily at the water. ripping
and dancing through bands of sunshine
and shadow.
"It's impossible" she said wearily.
~ have settled that with myself for