Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-05-10
Under The Apple Trees.
BY +. Broes Van Heekeren.

Intense white heat with a streak of
yellow dust marking the road; without
movement the leaves hung limp and
brown, except when the hot air stirred
them like restless bits of parchment.
A dust covered cart on the highway,
horse and master alike in their en-
deayors 10 compromise with sleep;
there was a world of regret in the way
Billy raised his forelegs and his head.
At the crossroads Dave drew the
rein sharply, to Billys discontinue,
and his next surprise lay in the fact of
his being stopped in front Of cottage.
a strange little cottage TO him. and
one almost hidden from view 3y the
overgrowth of tangled vines.
With laboring determination Dave
dismounted. and drew from under the
seat square box. marked and re-
marked with foreign stamps and la
bells; then he re-adjusted his specta-
cles and read the inscription: Miss
Margaret Harway. Cnionviile. y. c."
Eggs and hcminy!' Dave ex-
claimed, in lieu of mightier oath.
what's coming TO the cid lady? Haint
seen her nigh on 10 ten years; may be
she do be afraid of her complexion"
Dave chuckled softly 10 himself They
say the house is haunted; it's mighty
queer. hiding herself with that Slip of
a girl
By this time he had passed the gate,
which stood. by will or otherwise, hos
pitably open, stumbled through the
thick matted grass. and finally reached
the door. II was cooler there. for no
sunlight could penetrate the heavy TO-
liage; the appreciative spiders had
hung their fantastic drawn work
around the porch. while the musty
smell of rotting timbers excluded the
sweeter odors natural 10 the country.
Although Dave tried 10 adjust his
rheumatic old knuckles to mere tap.
the sound echoed and re-echoed
through the house as though intent
upon hearing and presently the door
was opened. the rusty hinges creaking
and groaning in their unusual effort.
Whatever fear Dave may have felt
before. it was unmistakable terror now
that seized him and held him an I'M
willing prey. for the face that returned
his fascinated gaze was drawn and
haggard. and as colorles as marble.
The eyes-Dave never forgot 10 his
dying day that look of horror realized,
IF death, dead hopes and unutterable
woe.
AT last, Al last" she moaned. AT
40 en- 1T lact
last!" Then. without farther ado, she
DROPPED motionless at Dawes feet.
Dawes kindly nature getting the bet
ter of his fear, he knelt beside the
PROSTATE woman and raised her head.
IF | had a sup CT water he said,
locking helplessly around.
But before be had come TO any con-
clusion she made an effort TO rise. and
with Dawes assistance slowly stood
upon her feet and leaned against the
vail. trembling in every linn.
Suddenly from above came the
sound OF quick step. then hurst of
song that died away in the distance:
but it seemed TO excite the woman to
action.
Quick! Quick" she said. opening
the door of a small closet. Put the
the" motioning with her thin.
shaking hand toward the box.
- s Dave did her bidding and drew
back, she took the key from the lock
snd dropped il into her pocket. look
Of relief coming into her hasgard face.
TO be replaced the next moment by one
of anxiety and fear. for from above
came again that voice. singing some
long forgotten song. With her finger
on her lips, she gently pushed the very
willing Dave toward the door. Poor
lady. il was a very gentle push. for she
was still shaken by the force of her
emotions. AS 10 Dave. he never
turned when the door closed. rot he,
With a speed that indicated happy re-
lease, he hurried down the untrodden
path to the more cheerful company OF
Billy.
Margaret Harway stood still where
le left her, trying to recover her
rcagth, then. cropping her way
ID a door. opened il and vanished
/. Almost at the same moment
came down the stairs a young
some ~ years, sns EaG WIN
ace. oct her full glory lay in the
beautiful hair piled high on
pely head, and held in place by
shaped conb. One forgot to
the fashion in wonder at her
other. did you call? thought
-GoGmother, where are
,ment she stood irrosolute,
shrug of her shoulders.
the kitchen. Here il was
less; the low ceiling was
heavy rafters; the win
on tiny kitchen garden.
foor Margaret stood. look
the scene, The red sun
rid glory OF golden COL
sed heat on the morrow.
ne what a world lay be-
tcn old pa!;ngs that mad
~.nced in their narrow lot
laughter and song, poo
On and women of ChiVal-