Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-10-03
Where the
Apple Reddens
By L. PARRY TRUSCOTT.

Err hair was windblown; her hat,
turned down and shading her
bright face, was of white calico and
belonged properly to a young broth
er. Her pink cotton dress had paid
repeated visits to the wash tub, and,
TO the critical eye, was nearing the
period when yet another Tubing
would be advisable. She would have
said she was horribly untidy-not fit
to be seen; in fact, she said it.
He considered, and rightly, that
she was so exceptionally blessed as
to look delicious in anything, and
he wisely put that also into words.
'SThat's prettily said,' she laughed
'No-don't go on. I am not such
hoyden but that 1 know the correct and
only answer. 1 only like''-she
nodded her mouth to pensiveness-
compliments that might be true
-'Mire all are when addressed to
you" he hastily declared.
''Then they are more like bare
statements of facts than compli-
ements, aren't .they?" she smiled up
at him, "and not specially to your
credit"
Greatly to yours" he insisted,
'since your charms leave no margin
for establishment"
30, that is sweetly said!" she cried.
Don't, please, say any more, for
you cannot better that!'
''But I can't stand num- he OBJ
jected.
You can sit in silence, though"
what do you mean?"
"Last night at dinner, at your lady
loves side. 1 was watching you
being opposite and with one but
a brother to speak to myself, 1 could
not help it. And you neither. of you
spoke-at any rate, you didn't. So
you see what you can do if you
try
IT was she-who had been trying"
he said, in mournfulness.
Had she? Poor you-she looks a
little like that She pulled herself
up with a pretty affectation of
alarm. what am L saying. o, 1 beg
your pardon, She looks as nice as
can be-she can be. 1t was you who
looked put out"
81 had reason to look it,
mo Doubt mean she must have
had some reason for letting you look
it,
''She could not help"
poor thing-so weak? 1 mean,
bound TO such a tyrant.'
Il give her her own way in every
thing"
She flashed round on him with her
most provoking smile.
Glow horrible tame of Womb sh q
said. No wonder she has lost inter
est in her-your looks!"
After ALL" he said, 81 didn't follow
you out here to talk of her"
We'll, then, suggest a topic-I'm
only waiting"
While she still waited she looked
up at the laden apple tree under
which they stood. She seemed to be
selecting, with the eye of connois-
seur, tut it may have been the blue
and white patches of cloud fiecked
sky seen through the branches
which held her attention. He gazeC
at her. He had been so gazing every
available moment during the brie1
week ne had known her, and always
with the same sense of pleasure il
the picture she made. 1t was true
9he was only the half educated, un
tidy. pleasure-loving daughter (tht
adjectives had been supplied fol
him) of the improvident, comfortab l,
farmhouse where he and his mothe1
and the girl he was engaged to wer,
staying as paving guests, but he saw
no reason in this why he should no
admire her for the qualities he di,
not need to have supplied for him.
II came out meaning to say hun
dred things to you." he said at last
and cannot think of one
II came out meaning to pick-wel
several, not hundreds quite, of ar
ples,'' said she, land 1 can't reac
one
There is something 1 might do 70
o YOU" he said. Selling his opportu1
ity, or trying to seize it. For, try a
ne would, neither could he reach a
apple.
II .ell you what-that loves
branch there; it has four beauties o
it. If you were to" She locke
up at him, smiled, looked down agail
pens1vely up at the coveted brancl
with = sidelorg glance like fas
at him, aGd then down once NOR