The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1902-02-27

- then, without waiting
sss-, he oived into his pocket
1rew out two big apples
Thank you; they are beauties
Emma said, smiling.
Game off your tree?"
My tree %
Yes; big one in the corner I've
called it yours ever since-since-"
His throat seemed closing up.
-.Since what. Mr. Aston? 90
Since that day when you were little
and you said-er-you wanted some
blossoms Was his tongue going tc
be para yzed? He knew he had started
right, that these apples were to lead
up to what he had come to say but
something was wrong.
blossoms? I don't understand"
Yes; apple blossoms; and they were
out of your reach, and L came along
and you said-you said you'd be my
but his tongue absolutely refused to
pronounce the delicious word. He was
thrilling to his finger tips.
well, I promised TO be your what pr
Swe etheart." The word was little
more than a whisper; it was as if his
heart had dubbed up tly
and overf1owed his tongue.
"Your sweetheart? That was a
rash promise and she laughed. In
none of the books had the heroin e
laughed at such a time. Did you get
me the blossoms?''
mered.
ooh, yes, you held me up to reach
the flowers, I recollect.''
And when lifted you up, you put
your-your arm around my-neck."
He stopped a moment to catch his
land from that minute I have never
thought of anybody else fora wife,
why, this must have happened
eight years ago.
Ten last b1ossom-time,'' he said,
not daring TO look up, for her voice
did not tremble as the story books
said it should He was losing hope.
Il was only eight years old them
Eyes, I know. I've been yvaiting.''
You were very good to me; I re-
member you always gave me the big
gest apples.''
Yes But he dared not look up;
the story books said she should
blush and stammer. The color ebbed
out of his face.
''Was I very heavy when you held
me up?' she asked, breaking the
pause.
never felt any weight except-your
arm on my neck Then the color
came back in a rush. You kissed
me when I put you down. he said,
reverent1y.
Glow shocking1y improper, and
eight years o1di''
How could she laugh over a thing
so sacred? Then he tried to recall
the plan of his dialogue, and said:
eve planted hollyhocks up and down
the front walk
''Have you?'' Again he was re-
buffed- He had hoped she would say
they We're her favorite flowers. All
the heroines did such things.
do you like snowballs and sweet
betsies?''
Not particu1ar1y.''
And the garden was full of them,
planted for her! Presently he stole
a look at her. and the misery tight
ened about his heart. In none of the
story books had the girl sat calmly
thus while the hero poured out his
heart to her. Then he made last
effort.
81 suppose it wouldn't be right to
hold a girl to promise she made
when she was only eight years old ?''
Not unless she wiling
'tAnd you amt willing?''
mo Then she added softly:
1.-THE fact is, I'm soon to be mar
He got up slowly ''Good-by. Miss
Emma; reckon L better go and see
your Pa again about that CIDER
In the hall he locked r-ueful1y at
his hat before taking it from the
ia elk.
Didn't belong here after ALL" he !
said, and went away.
Must have been bad TOOTH the |
first 1ounger said as he him drive |
past.
Yes, Lap looks like he was about |
yanked in two Tooth must have |
broken off,
But it not a tooth that had |
broken; it was lonely, human
heart.
MADNESS AVERTED.