Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-04-17
Loves Tangled Paths.

Just before he reached the ragged.
white-washcd fence that ran around
the apple orchard. Danyers paused
aud drew from his pocket u small,
oval-framed picture. For second he
smiled rcsretfully Mt tic dainty. bruno
face that laughed up into his eyes.
Then VITA sudden pe:ulance he thrust
the miniature into his breast and
strobe rapidly toward the small re-
yolying gate. through that and on
among the iow.boushed autumn ap-
pies.
A sevcn.days' voyage. composed
chiefly OF mal'de-mcr and rain.slop-
ped deck. had not served to stimulate
the tagging spirits that had com.
meaced their downward course on tho
day before he left Heidelberg. And
the trip from New York to Chicago
brought no recompcnsc: nothing. In
fact. beyond n cindergrimcd aud cx.
eccdirEiy anxious countenancc.
As he ncarcd tho familiar hedge OF
Wild rose. behind which reposed an
old.faAhioncd. vinc.laccd hotel. his
heart sank within him. Three years
ago he had told Dolly Pcmberton
soodby on It's great Siantins porch and
gone forth to win fame and wealth
that he might lay them a, the feet OF
his iadyloyc.
How different this to the pictured
home coming.
Then no piauant face with bobbins
curls rose To dim the brightness OF his
Swcc,hcnrt's eyes: now no throbbing
pulses hurried him on with outstrctch.
ed arms as OF old.
Poor little Dolly" he muscd pity.
ingly. 1T Is but tho remnant OF n
heart that brins back To you. but
he chokcn down rcbcllious knot In
his throat-"and the girl who has
given mo her trust and-and love.
must never know what "a cad have
bccnI" He stole n final look at the
pictured face over his heart aud Sc,
his lips TO the Inevitable.
Where the path branchcd. he stop.
ped for a momcn, under widespread.
Ing russct and pulling on his hat
brushed back the thick mop Of brown
hair that ciunr to his forehead.
on the grass at his feet fcw over.
ripe apples cleaned gold In the dappic
sunlight.
Banycrs stopped and picked up
one. biting Into II rcaccti,ciy with
his strong white teeth.
Charley"
He started and glanced abou, him:
then up at the fruit.wcightcd limbs.
"Eoiiyi" he exclaimed and dropped
his apple.
"A quit. unexpected pleasure. said
she. smiling at him through the rod.
dcning leaves. Won't you come upy"
Il meant to surprise you" returned
he. swinging himself TO an opposite
branch. and I'm glad YOU call II n
pleasure. II is my frat vacation IN a
good many moons.'
When did you arrivc!' asked Dol.
iy. -and who drove you out?'
II reached Chicago last night and
walked out this morning.
Walked eight milcs7"
"of coursc-it WA worth while.
don't you think so?'-hc replied sig.
niiicautly.
you were very silly"--wrs her
comment. Besides. how did you
know" She broke OF trine cm.
barrasscd and toycd with the end OF
her tie.
That you were hcrc7 oh. I found
that out. he sure. However"
"wcil7"
You haven't forgotten"
"what7'
That every summer-untii came
you would be-"
"of course" she broke in hurrledly.
Il am always here. nearly
Danvers stared n, her curiously. Did
she care very much. them
Had | known that" he said slowly.
Il should have come last night"
I'm very glad you didn't said
Dolly. "if you mean that you would
have walked
Love laughs at-vchiclcs." He put
in quickly. hating himself.
20. lovc!" sac laughed little odd.
ly and looked on. Then. after n
moment. II thought 1t was lock.
smiths.' She spoke absentiy. her face
still avortcd.
AT anything that stands in its
way" Danycrs pursued with deep.
cnirg eyes. Something subtle and
ialf-rememborcd stirred in his heart.
and he felt n queer flush rise to his
temples. True he was but acting a
part, but the part was all at once
strangely real TO him.
''ln all those years said he. you
old not write"
She regarded him intently for mo.
ment through contracted lashes.
Danvers' eyes fell under her scru.
tiny. You did not write" he re.
peated. moodily.
NO. she said, "ror you"
Nor L.
still" she continued. that was
agreed upon"
Yes" he admitted with slow
smile. but | thought-perhaps-
yes" she mimicked "and !
thought-perhaps-too. maybe
"Oh. we'll" said he. with funny
little laugh. Absence makes the
heart grow forder'-so I've heard"
He looked at her searchingly.