The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-05
THE EVENING STORY
Under the Apple Tree.
(By Jane Ludlum Leg

Cling against her freshly laundereo
frock
Patsy wagged his abbreviated tail.
and set his ears up very straight in
reply.
"The piazza crowd" according to Be-
linda's light. was the aggregation OF
somewhat colorless and uncertainty
aged summer boarders, whose fingers
could barely keep pace with their
tongues. as they embroidered and
talked on the wide veranda Of the
Cedarvale inn.
Belinda and Patsy strolled down the
village street, and stopped In 'front.' 81
the dilapidated postoffice for mail Inc
gray-haired postmaster peered through
the small opening, his eyes shining
above the gold rim Of his glasses.
There's a letter here for b. Bowers.
Be that your"
yes Miss B. Bowers" affirmed Be
linda.
well. there amt no Miss on it, but
reckon it's yours, all right, ana ne
handed her the letter.
Belinda was too happy day-dreaming
to open the uninteresting-lookin legal
envelope. 1t might be a bill, so she
thrust it between the leaves or ner
magazine. When she and Patsy reach
ed a shady apple orchard, surroundeo
by low stone wall, Belinda serted
herself comfortably and opened lhe
missive.
Dear b." it ran, hope this finds
you wide awake, and that you've as
covered something doing in CedarVale.
understand there's nothing in the line
of females up there under sixty, except
one queen, named Belinda Bowers.
met her last winter at Mrs. Alstons 5;
Stop painting fool pictures and see IL
you can't get next to her royal nigh
ness. Ia, ia. BUZZ.
Belinda;s eyes were beaming with
the humor of the mistake. She looked
again at the envelope. 1t certainly
bore her name. yet the letter was evi-
IDENTIFY meant for other eyes. VINO was
BUZZ"
Patsy. old doggie," said Belinda, as
she patted him affectionately on the
head There's something in CedarVale
at last and methinks we're IT.
Patsy barked with delight at the sud
den turn of affairs. Then something on
the other side of the wall attracteu I,s
attention, and he bounded over. bark
ing necessarily. Belinda followed MIN
her glance, and discovered tnat an
artist was sketching about hfty 1eet
away The dog paid no attention 10
her recalling whistle, and she followed
him.
Come here this minute, young man.
she called in stern voice.
The artist rose.
AT your service" he murmureo, as
he bowed before her.
ST was calling the dog, explained
Belinda, much embarrassed.
IT realize that" parted the man
"but since the dog refuses I thought
I might do"
Inwardly Belinda told herself that
decidedly he would do. but for answer
she gave him an irresistible laugh.
won't you sit down under the shade
of my apple tree, Miss Bowers?' sug-
gested the man. suddenly turning
host.
Belinda made herself comfortable,
and the man dropped down beside her.
asHow did you know that 1 was Miss
Bowers?" inquired Belinda. finally.
"fIow did 1 know" echoed her COM
panion. "Cedarvale is a small place,
and when a beautiful girl lands in our
midst the whole town talks of nothing
else" He laughed aloud at the thought,
and then, with more. seriousness ne
Relinda was interested. and gave her
consent.
you the night you and your motner
arrived, and I've been hankering Tor
an introduction ever since. why, I've
even hung about dark lanes hoping to
rescue you I've gone to dances where
I'VE been the only man present, IN
hopes that some Of the antedliuvians
might introduce me. But all enorts
were futile until this disobedient pup
has made me his everlasting debtor"
SIN case Patsy wants to send in a
hill for services rendered" coyly de-
manded Belinda. what's the debtors
name?"
Forbes Hazard Never heard of me,
did your"
"Wen, 1 once read a short article
about you" acknowledged Belinda, her
eyes swapping with delight. That's an
awfully long name of yours, though.
She continued. What do your friends
call you when they are in hurry?"
Just B." he informed her, and
Belinda actually giggled.
Two hours later the trio were back
on the hotel piazza, and Belinda had
not mentioned the letter. The next day
and every day thereafter found the
three companions taking long walks,
and Belinda realized that she was do
ing very little reading, while Hazard
left his canvas in most unfinished
condition.
The season at Cedarvale was almost
at an end, and the trees in the or
chard were laden with gorgeous red
fruit. Patsy was chasing birds, while
Belinda was curled up at the foot of
a favorite tree, and Hazard was be-
side her. This morning there seemed
to be long, unaccountable pauses in
the conversation. and for some reason
Forthcoming.
"Did YOU ever read what people
thought about your" asked Belinda.
Eyes, I read a short article about
myself once, written by one of my
dearest friends, Buzz Murray he ac-
knowledged. But 1 must say in de-
tense of my friend that it was never
intended for my eyes.
"Do YOU mean, Mr.. B. z. Murray
Mrs Alstons friend?" inquired
Belinda.
'aThat's the man. We nicknamed
him Buzz at college," Then FUN
bling in his pockets, Hazard pro-
duced a well-worn letter. Here's the
article" he announced as he handed
her an envelope addressed to himself.
Belinda read aloud.
my Dear Miss Bowers-I hear you
are in Cedarville, and 1 wish you
would send a card to my old friend
Hazard. His people have a cottage
there. He's the dearest old slob in
nj. L.