Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-07-25
catchfy and In the center six dande-

catchfy and In the center six dande-
lion stems.
Rich man, poor man, beggar man.
chief; doctor, lawyer chanted Hal
lie, bending over them. Tell my for
tune, dandelions. I@pray yen." She
puffed out her pretty red lips and blew
desperately at each one. but their time
was not yet ended. They refused to be
blown away. Laughing, she went over
to the catchfiy corner and sat down on
a stone.
Tell me about it, Dan," she COM
manded, beginning to gather the scar
let blossoms.
MANY years ago a good deacon own
ed gold mine," began, looking down
at her gloomily, land in the foolishness
Of his heart he thought the yield would
never grow less. He said: L will not
live In houses like other men. I will
build me castle such as this country
has never beheld.' So his workers laid
these foundations and built these walls.
Then one day the deacon went to his
mine, but there was no more gold. His
castle was never completed; his foun-
tains never splashed in the sunlight
nor did his electric lights ever shine
down on the town below. He died, but
his folly remains. 1t has many appli-
cations. You, Halle, are squandering
the gold Of an honest mans love. You
are building for yourself castle of
fame. Beware, lest it crumble in ruins
about your feet"
You are tragic tonight, Dam" she
remarked as she finished her bright
hued crown and placed it on her dark
hair.
"The sun Is setting" | said, turning
angrily away from her beauty. You
have no business to be working among
men anyway. You are too pretty"
1t was a scornful glance she threw
back at me as she climbed the rock pile
to look toward the west.
II didn't think that Of you," she said
quietly, but her tone made me flush
with shame.
Forgive me, Hallie," cried, spring
ing up beside her. Il don't know what
I'm saying"
Dear old DAN" she whispered, with
a half SOB don't forget me quite when
I'm gone"
Forget her! Tie sun disappeared be-
hind the fringe Of pines. and the ca
thedral hell began to ring slowly, each
chime knell to my dead hopes. Hal
lie shivered.
'We had better go. 1t will b. dark
now when we get back"
l pleaded for five minutes more so
that l might say my real goodby to
scarlet crowned, red Tipped, misty eyed
Halle; then, hand in hand, we went
down the hill, along the country road,
through lovers lane and back to the
town again.
1t was summer when Halle went
away, and it was summer again when
she came back. One evening l was
passing the house which she had glori-
fed for so short time, when her aunt
beckoned to me.
go to the east porch" she whispered
as I went up the walk.
thought of the time Halle had
shown me her castle from the east
porch, and my heart was like lead as l
went round the house and looked up to
see-Hallie! Not round and rosy as she
had been. but white. with great eyes
unnaturally bright; Halle, with her
pale lips trembling and her thin little
arms outstretched toward me.
what have they done to my dar-
lingY cried hoarsely as I sprang for
ward
'rm tired, DAN" she whispered. lay
ing her dear head on my shoulder
you said no one could serve two mas
tiers, and l have failed in serving one
went out one stormy night to get
details of horrible murder case. I
caught cold and couldn't seem to get
over It, They said l must come back
to California. And. Dan, I was glad.
for California held you. My castle has
fallen, as you said 1t might, but don't
seem to care"
HALLE" l answered joyOusly, 'love
Is better than fame and quietness far
more to be desired than great riches.
After you left l bought the pear or
chard, and often have l sat among the
castle ruins longing for my little girl
Tomorrow l will begin to build our
house, and when 1t is finished l shall
take you there. The pure winds and
the balm of the pines will give you
back your health. Oh. Halle, Hallie!"
And looking into her dear eyes l saw
sweet prophecy of happy days to come.