Amador ledger., 1905-02-03

lue hammocks, book in one hand ami
sandwich In the other, safely screen
eu from prying eyes by the wistarf1
vines The Sunday following the put
tlhg up Of the wire the hammocks were
occupied, when some one came along
the sidewalk with quick, firm tread
anu deliberately walked through the
broken place in the hedge and across
the path.
Alt gave a smothered exclamation
ana sat up, but before she could sneak
phere was the sound of a fall at the
naro wire guard, and the girls rose
| WIN frightened yet half laughing,
faces.
"HelloP' called Kit gently. Are you
hurt?"
Ihere was no response for a minute
tnen some one answered in a strange
voice.
Deg your pardon, but would YOU
mind ringing our bell and calling tbe
DoysF My foot is twisted, and 1 can
not stand up"
"a IN hzll9 h9ur af later thae Kit stood aniltlr
Nell came slowly from the house next
dool
will he be sick long?"
"Atout month before he can walk"
said Mrs. Norton. 'Tt is too bad. And
he Is very delightful person to meet;
not at all eccentric. He takes the
blame entirely and says he is worse
than tie boys and that we were per-
fectly hight in putting up the wire"
''Thafs what he said to you, moth
erie, d;rIing," interposed Nell discon-
solately, HE probably thinks that Kit
and l are heathens."
"Barbarous heathens," Kit smiled
wickedy,
"This is far from being a joke, Kath-
crime" said Mrs. Norton. II am afraid
you mast both do penance by being as
kind as possible. OF course he is
a-a'-
"Crank?"
"a celebrity" corrected her mother.
1--WE nay 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, 1 won't, motherie," said Kit
fatty. "I'm sorry he hurt himself, but
I'm not bit sorry 1 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 the veranda next
door. Nell carried the first propitiatory
bunch of roses over to the enemy's
country. She brought back a good re-
port, and after week of disinterested
Indifference Kit suddenly announced
her intention of being flower bearer to
his majesty. She found him totally
disabled, rather sarcastic majesty.
$50 you're the young woman who
set the trap, are you, Miss Kit? And
you're not bit sorryY'
'I'm sorry 1 came over to see YOU"
Kit stood erect, very naughty, very
sweet and very young. 81 only
brought the flowers"
"And you didn't expect to be scoId-
edT" She knew he was laughing at
y
know I've been hoping every day to
have you visit me and beg my par
DOM"
81 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 swathed foot.
"Tm sorry you were hurt"
''That will do very we'll" He was
laughing openly now at 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 hesitated, flushed warmly under
his teasing gaze and took a seat on
the hickory settee.
Four weeks later Mclean took his
first walk. 1t was a slow, tedious one
from the veranda to the hedge
81 came halfway for my roses to-
day." he said to the figure in white
beside the rosebushes. May 1 come
over the hedge?"
Kit did not even turn her head.
"Are you angry?" His voice was low
and eager. after last evening 1 was
afraid you might not come again, Kit"
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 merriment had died
from her eyes.
81 was just coming" she said softly
His hands closed over those that held
the roses.
ITO say Yes sweetheart7'
Look out for the barbed 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. 1 claim
the right of way"