The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-05
Copyright. 1905. by tile National press

4','>SSps ~ V eVs', ~ viz
9s The girl sat up In the forked boushs
of tho old apple tree, singing WIN
ston. b. A., sat In the warm September
IAunshine, on the other side of the or
chard wall, frowning, as he listened.
He was n clever man, but he founo
II utterly Impossible to write an essay
Of, subject that would probably only
Ii prove interesting to himself, and few
other fortunate possessors OF brains
( while the pretty voice overhead car
Died OF such frivolities as spring and
birds and sunshine.
s4 Not that Winston. b. a., objected In
the slightest to spring and birds and
sunshine: he thought them most OK
celIent things in their proper places;
4 but lie did not consider their proper
\ places to be In his hours of study on
tits September morning.
He thought, severely. that the song
ii stress could be far better employed by
a,iourning to tho low white stone
house at the back OF the apple orchard
E he could catch glimpse of.it from
his bedroom window-and busting the
drawing room or, doing one of the hun
dred odd things for the purpose OF
< which, he was firmly convinced. wo-
men had been sent into the world.
The orchard wall at his back was
high. and the soft grass on which he
was stretching his long legs with more
comfortable inelegance than true dig
nifty permitted made n decidedly low
seat.
Winston, B. a.. tried vainly to peer
UP into the branches OF the apple tree.
which hung invitingly over the wall.
and locate the songstress.
But the branches Wee thick with
~ 1V,
Il ston b. A., was short-sighted.
Is He could not catch a glimpse OF the
singer, but he could hear the song
with clearness for which he was not
at all grateful. considering thatslt was
a pretty song, and sung by an even
prettiet voice.
He laid down his notebook and pen
cil. and wondered what he had better
do
ss He decided to temporise. Winston,
b. a.. coughed. 1t was discreet
cough. and full of meaning. The sing
ing ceased.
He took up his note-boo and turned
the leaves in a most business-like way,
but not word could he read, as he
had misaid his glasses. He put the
note hook back on the grass, and
thoughtfully. searched his pockets. lie
arrived at his breast-pocket for the
third time. when a voice said. in
tone of thnly-veiled amusement;
IF you are looking for your glasses
they are in the crown OF your hat"
winston, B. a., turned as If he had
been shot. and looked upward. All he
could see, however. was what appeared
to be patch of sunshine amongst the
green leaves. Later, he supposed IT
must have been the girls hair.
For moment he sat stupidity star
ing up at It. then his eyes Travelled
slowly back to earth. and rested on his
straw hat, which lay on the grass be-
side him. with his gold-rimmed glasses
peacefully reposing in the crown. He
took them out carefully and adjusted
them with great eXactness on the
bridge of his fine nose.
Satisfied that his vision would. this
time. he something more than an In
distinct blurr, Winston, B. A., sup
ported himself with one hand in the
glass. and again raised his face heaven
wards. Between the green branches
of the apple tree a girls face laughed
down at him.
~ 1t is probable that he would have
y remained staring upwards till this daV,
had she not broken the silence by ask
ing If he would like an apple.
Winston. B. A., gasped He gasped
I quite loudly. and with such genuine
amazement that she burst out laugh
ms.
..What is the matter?' she asked.
..Are you sitting on something pncom-
fortable?" This last with great con-
Germ.
.Thank you" said Winston. frigidly
s5"I am perfectly comfortable. and !
never eat apples He rose to his feet
with as much dignity as the bits OF
4 twig and grass that chung to his clothes
permitted,
'.Oh!'' said the girl. She looked down
ss at him consideringly.
Winston. 3. A.. gathered up his hat