Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-02-04

found that he could climb as well as
ever. In spite OF city life and elevators,
and he determined 10 climb to the very
ton of the tree. II was from this same
tree that he had had many fall In his
knickerbocker days, and he wanted TO
show his mastery of his old enemy.
The pride that goeth before fall
was his, and the inevitable tumble
came He was nearly back to the bot
tom limb when, with an ominous
crackle. one of the yellow branches by
which he was steadying himself gave
way. he lost his balance and fell heav-
fly TO the ground.
| For a moment he lay, half stunned
then a burning pain in his ankle rous-
ed him. Dragging himself to sitting
posture. he cut the laces OF the boot
/ and with his handkerchief bound the
! kprained ankle as tightly as he could.
( Then. by slow degrees, he made his
way to his coat and slipped 1t on to
prevent cold.
Holding TO the trunk OF the tree he
sought TO rise. but he sank to the
ground again and rested for moment
until the sharp pain ceased.
/ There was no stick In sight that
could be used as a cane, and without
such an aid there was small chance of
I being able TO make his way to the edge
I Of the wood. where he might be able
I to attract the attention Of some pedes-
! TRAN, on the road below. Yet he
would crawl on his hands and knees
rather than pass the night in the open.
He was still considering the situa-
ton when he spied fash Of brown
and scarlet between the trees, and a
girl came slowly toward him. AS she
came more clearly into view Paul
gasped and rubbed his eyes.
Coming toward him was Carol Ry-
der, not as he expected TO find her with
the weight of added years, but as
young and girlish as on that day
when they two had gathered chestnuts
and taken them home to roast.
1t seemed that II must be some vi
sion, for he had seen late picture OF
Carol. aud the girlishness had given
place to a matronly dignity that sat
oddly on her young face. This was
the girl of the olden day+his Carol
and as she approached he struggled tc
rise and fell. She came hurrying to.
ward him.
"You have hurt your ankle" she
asked in voice that surely must be
Carols 81 will try and find stick for
you To use as a cane. Don't try to rise
until bring you one"
She hurried away and presently re-
appeared with a stout branch.
You will have TO trim 1t down lit
tie with your knife she explained
at was the best / could find Is 1t
Paul Westford?" she added as. for the
first time, she studied his face
"It's Paul Westford," he assented,
but you cannot be Carol?''
I'm her sister Edith" she explain
ed with light laugh. 81 was just at
the awkward age when you left, and,
anyhow. you never had eyes for any
one but Carol"
~You look very like her." he said
quietly as he rose by aid of the cane.
$50 every one tells me-" was the
girls careless comment. You had bet
ter take my arm too. 1t will be safer.
Do you think you can manage it?'
Easily" he agreed as he accepted
her suggestion and rested his free
hand lightly upon her arm
Slowly they made their way to the
clearing. and not until they left the
woods behind did Edith stop with
little cry Of dismay.
"You never got the nuts" she cried,
'and you came all the way from town
to get themr'
Il came In search Of old memories"
said Paul softly as he looked down
into the eager face upturned TO his. 81
thought they were dead memories, and
! find that they still live"
The color flooded the girls face as
she turned 1t aside, but not till eyes
had spoken to eyes, and Paul knew
that he had found his mate.