The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-10-26
Loves Tangled Paths.

Just before he reached the ragged,
he apple orchard, Danvers paused
Il drew from his pocket a small,
oval-framed picture. For a second he
smiled regretfully at the dainty, bruno
face that laughed up into his eyes.
Then with sudden petulance he thrust
the miniature into his breast and
strobe rapidly toward the small re-
volving gate, through that and on
among the ~low-boughed autumn ap-
pies.
A seven-days' voyage, composed
chiefly of mal-de-mer and a rain-slop
ped deck, had not served to stimulate
the tagging spirits that had COM
menced their downward course on the
day before he left Heidelberg. And
the trip from New York to Chicago
brought no recompense; nothing, in
fact, beyond a cinder-grimed and ex-
ceedingly anxious eountenance.
AS he neared the familiar hedge Of
wild rose, behind which reposed an
old-fashioned, vine-laced hotel, his
heart sank within him. Three years
ago he had told Dolly Pemberton
goodby on its great slanting porch and
gone forth to win fame and wealth
that he might lay them at the feet of
his ladylove.
How different this to the pictured
homecoming.
Then no piquant face with bobbing
curls rose to dim the brightness of his
s~Weetheart's eyes; now no %throbbing
pulses hurried him on with outstretch-
ed arms as of old.
Poor little Dolly" he unused pity
insly. 1T is but the remnant of a
heart that L bring back to you, but"
he chicken down a rebellious knot in
his throat-"and the girl who has
given me her trust and-and love,
must never know what "a cad I have
heen?" He stole a final look at the
pictured face over his heart and set
his lips to the inevitable. ~
Where the path branched, he stop
ped for a moment under a widespread
ing russell and pulling off his hat
brushed back the thick mop of brown
hair that chung to his forehead.
On the grass at his feet a few over
ripe apples cleaned gold in the dapple
sunlight.
Danvers stopped and picked up
one, biting into it refectively with
his strong white teeth.
Charley"
He started and glanced about him;
then up at the fruit-weighted limbs.
Dolly" he exclaimed and dropped
mis- apple.
"A quite unexpected pleasure" said
she, smiling at him through the red.
dening leaves. won't you come up?'
II meant to surprise you," returned
he. swinging himself to an opposite
branch, land I'm glad you call it a
pleasure. 1t is my first vacation in a
good many moons.'
When did you arrive?' asked Dol
ly, land who drove you out?"
Il reached Chicago last night and
walked out this morning."
Walked eight miles?"
"Of course--it was worth while
- Y Sou W 81 lily lCpllCu DIE
niticantly.
You were very silly"-was he1
comment. Besides, how did yol
know She broke eff a trife EN-
barrassed and toyed with the end O.
her tie.
That you were here? Oh, / found
that out, be sure. However,
"Well?"
"You haven't forgotten"
"What?"
THAT every summer-until l CAM
you would be
"Of course" she broke in hurriedly
Il am always here. nearly"
Danvers stared at her curiously. Dit
she care very much. then?
Had l known that" he said slowly
II should have come last night"
Pm very glad you didn't" sail
Dolly, "if you mean that you woult
have walked"
"Love laughs at-vehicles." He pu
in unfrl.1v hatiuu binco]P aH