Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1905-04-22

thc hammoCkS, II book in one hand and
sandwich In the other. safely screen
ed from pryins eyes hy the wistarla
vines The Sunday following tIe put
ting up Of the wire tie hamnocks were
occupied. when some one came along
the sidewalk with quick. firm tread
and deliberately walked through the
broken place in the hedge and across
the path.
Kit gavr n Smothcrcd exclamation
and sat III, hut before she could speak
there was the sound of fall ut the
barb wire guard and the girls rose
with frightened. vet half laughing,
faces
"Ircllo" called Kit gently. Are you
hurt"
There VAS no response for minute.
then some one answered in strange
voice:
Il beg your pardon, but would you
mind ringing our bell and calling the
boyst My foot is twisted and can
not stand up
An hour later kit stood guilty at
the head Of the steps as her mother and
Nell came slowly from the house next
door.
"Will he be sick long?"
about II month before he can walk"
said Mrs Norton 1T is too bad And
he is a very delightful person to meet;
not Mt all eccentric He takes the
blame entirely and says he is worse
than the boys and that We were per
fectly right in putting up the wire"
THAT'S what he said to you, moth
erie, darling" intcrpoScd Nell discon-
Folatcly. "IIe probably thinks that Kit
md are heathcns"
"Rarbarous hcnthcns." Kit smiled
wickcdly
This is far from being Joke, Kath-
crime" said Mrs Norton Il am afraid
you must both do pcnance by being ns
kind rs possible. OF course he IL
n-a"-
"Crank?"
"a celebrity" corrected her mother.
eve may find him odd. but after this
misfortune we must do our best to
make him comfortable. | told him You
would take turns in bringing him flow
erS"
"Well, | won't. mothcric," said Kit
fatty. I'm sorry he hurt himself. but
I'm not bit sorry put up the fence.
and don't want to be forgiven"
In the days that followed they could
see the strong, patient figure sitting
in the shady corner of tho vcrandn next
door. Nell carried the first propitIatory
bunch of roses over to the cncmy's
country. She brought back good re-
port, and after n week of disintercstcd
indifference Kit suddenly announced
her intention of being flower bearer to
his majesty She found him totally
disabled, rather sarcastic majesty.
$50 you're thc young woman who
set the trap, are you, Miss Kit? And
you're not n bit Sorry"
I'm sorry came over to see you"
Kit stood erect, very naughty, very
sweet and very young. Il only
brought the flowers
"And you didn't expect to be scold-
ed?" She knew he was laughing Mt
her. Please sit down. Don't you
know I've been hoping every day to
have You visit me and beg my par
DOM"
II won't do any such thing" She
met his eyes defiantly. "YOu hadn't
the least right to cross there, only
only meant it for the boys, OF course"
Her glance fell to his swathcd foot
"Im sorry you were hurt
'That will do very we'll" He was
laughing openly now "It covers the
personal side for me. you see You're
not sorry you hurt me, but you're sorry
I'm hurt. Please sit down and talk
to fellow, won't you?'
Kit hesitatcd, flushed warmly under
his teasing gaze and took seat on
the hickory settcc.
Four weeks later Mclean took his
first walk. 1t was n slow, tedious one
from the veranda to the hedge.
II came halfway for my roses to-
day" he said to the figure in white
beside the roSebusheS MAY | come
over the hedge"
Kit did not even turn her head
Are you angry" His voice was low
and eager. After last evening was
az iul' Oi llllSllN iI'b 'Olllt uSdlll Nll
She turned and walked toward him
slowly, the bunch of roses held close
to her face. At the hedge she looked
up AT him. and the merrimcnt had died
from her eyes.
81 was Just coming" she said softly
His hands closed over those that held
the roses
"To say Yes sweetheart"
Look ont for the barbcd wire, Mr..
Mclean" called Nell from the sitting
room window. Exit still guards her
forbidden path"
"All wires down" called Mclean.
ITS the path OF roses now claim
the right of way"