Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21
CHAPTER TX.
The Fire on Cherry Greek.

| deep on the back roads. began to harden
into brick-like welts and ragged pits AMI
| rrts; the wheat fields had emerged from
| the snow a livid green, most intense IS
viewed against the dun corn lands. and
| the usual spring fires. the bane of the Sew
| en- mountains. were beginning to creep here
| ano there on the ridges and to throw over
the landscape a gauze of smoke that blur
| rel all outlines.
| 1t Sunday afternoon and q silence
| like that Of the Indian summer lay on the
| valley. The sun, a rim of old brass hung
| tusteriess over the smudge that was Roar
| Ing Run, and a coy twilight was creeping
| on, even with the sun fun in sight.
| Whether 1t was the spring day or wheth-
| er 1t was the memory OF the Sabbath before
| when he had tried his best to propose ana
had been managed out of It, something, II
was evioent' mad stirred Karl keichline
| nightly. AS he had ridden up the run
| that morning there had been desperation in
] his heart He would settle Il before he
ever went back again. He had tried
| the gradual approach long enough; he would
be abrupt now and stormy He would make
sudden dash and demand yes or no with
| out alternative.
| The day. however had passed without
| progress She had not evaded him; on the
J contrary, she had been with him even more
! than usual, but somewhow there had been
! no chance. 1t had not seemed her fault.
| There had been sudden accidents and inter-
ruptions and intrusions until 1t had seemed
| as If fate itself were against him. And ali
| day the fever in his heart had burned high
| er. He had never seen her SO joyous and
| irresistible, and sweetly feminine. She had
| awed him and thrilled him and captivated
him until he was intoxicated and helpless.
| But every man has his chance.
| Suddenly he saw Rose make dash across
| the garden toward the cherry trees. Her
| cat had caught robin
| Here, Dick! Here, here, herev she was
calling excitediy. He leaped from the porch
| and together they succeeded in cornering
| the cat in nook beyond the trees. 1t made
| an attempt to get through the chickenwire
| fence, then dropped the bird and dashed by
them. The robin lay still a moment, but
| as they approached It fiuttered into shrub.
| "Oh, do you think it's hurt?' she asked
| eagerly.
Not bit It's only scared" he re-
| sponded with conviction.
| But just see how the poor little thing
| shakes Just see how he's rumpled up
There was pathetic CULVER in her voice.
Hes only frightened, that's all. He's
| all right. But, Rose''-he changed his tone
abruptly-'I want you to marry me. VIII
| you. Rose?" She gave him a swift startled
| look, then sided hastily toward the shrub.
"Oh, see. his wing must be broken. Just
/ see how 1t hangs down. oh, seer
| No, it isn't. See him fly? But will you
marry me. Rose? Say, will your He
| came close to her. There was a tragic, do
| or-die look in his face.
| "Oh. my dishes II get stone-cold. ] must
| go right back" She started off decisively,
| but he kept close to her, almost desperately.
But your answer-wtll you marry me?'
| why, what a question:
Yes or no. will you marry me?' he re-
peated doggedly.
| Mo-
You don't mean it, Rose. You can't.
| Say, will you, Rose? You will won't your
| He came nearer. Somehow she had no de-
| sire to laugh now; the affair was becoming
| dangerous.
But whye Why should I want to marry
1 ylt9fg -1a lfOlra cd n 40
| In the Dutch belt of Pennsylvania maidens
are taught that their hearts are shaped
very much Ike a purse, and that love
| awakes in its true ecstasy only at the sight
| of the substantial things readily convertible
| at the county bank. The rural swain, there
| FORE seldom advances the fiimsy logic, J
| love you, and therefore you should weu
| me-" but he advances boldly with the more
| convincing argument, 4 have fifty acres ana
| a thousand cash; is that not enough to make
| you my wife?" Thus 1t was that Karl
Keichline at the critical moment began 10
| argue.
4 can make you happy Rose. 1
| have"
Pm happy now. I don't ask to be any
| happier"
"Yes but think what we can have, Rose.
I'm not poor. I'll build you a house that Il
! beat anything in this whole region, and you
shall plan It and furnish it. And you shall
| have the best horses that money can buy,
and a stable for them that's right up TO
| date. I afford it. Rose. Say, viii
your"
| I've got everything I want now. don't
ask for another thing better"
But what about a few years from now?
Your father and mother are getting old
| Rose"
And what of that?" She was looking at
! him sharply.
'I know-but. Rose, you'll need somebody
| to look after YOU
| do 1 look as if I needed somebody to
look after me?" She stood very straight
| and tall before him
But you surely are not going to live
all alone by yourself your whole life
! RoseY'
'Oh. possibly not. I may marry some
| body years and years from now" She said
| It as if she were yielding great point
at shan't change your life in the least
| Rose. You may be as free as you are now
| Just as free, and even freer. But l want
| you, Rose; love you. can't live without
! you. And L want you now" He was look
! ing into her face with an eagerness that
| was almost pathetic.
I'm sorry" she said a little wave OF
| pity somehow beginning to creep over her
| tender heart. But you know really / can't
marry anybody-not for years and years T."
| perhaps I've been sudden, Rose. won't
! press 1t just now. I'll ask you again next
Sunday. You'll give me your final answer
] then, won't your"
I've answered you now"
| "No. no. You don't mean that, really.
! You'll think 1t over and give me the final
yes or no next Sunday. You will, won't
/
| mo"
| "Rosei'
"a week is not a great while she said
| evasively. An image of her father had come
| before her-eager and pleading. She knew
| well that 1t was his dearest wish to have
| the marriage at once. He wanted Karl to
| help him even with the present springs
work. The thing was enevtable after all.
and what was the use? AS well him as
any one; yet somehow she shrank. You
may ask me In a year-fve years." she
added quickly.
mo, no. I want you now. I'll make 1t
| two weeks. I insist on two weeks"
'You may ask me again on the first day
of June, If you Insist upon It, but not one
| LAY earlier"
But. Rose
mot day earlier"
But that's six long weeks, Rose"
eff you object again. I shall make It the
| first Of August"
| VERY well. Then I agree; but Rose
And you are to promise not to say one
word about II till then"
But, Rose, / can surely
Not one word Promise me-"
| "Yes-yes; 1 promise. And you'll prom
| Use to give me the final answer on June
| frst?'
yes; and it will be no. 1 can tell you
tIof