Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-17

But was good to be up early the next morning. theif
anniversary morning, in the scented cooness and while
the yet rosy from the sunrise, Robert and his
wife came up the path to the house together; she had
been to the barn to call him to breakfast
The air quite still, with that marvellous hush that
seems to listen for change. Each spear of grass
poised on its tip motioness drop of dew. AS the two
passed under the apple tree, an orole with rollicing
warbe, plunged downward and through the branches
like meteor shaking them shower of wet petals;
then he off across the yard-a flash OF orange and
black
"Oh, Robert, look at hin1--ookl"
Yes dear" but Robert looked UP at the sky instead,
where white lus of cloud swan across the blue It'll
rain tomorrow, If it don't fore night but the cornu
be in all ready for it..
gan again. Somehow the constant reiteration rritaed
Alice 1t licked an accompaniment to the washing of
the Dishes it checked off the sweeping of the floor
"Nonsense!" said Alice aloud as she hung up the
broom with decision; then she went to the door and
looked over to the south field, The sun was growing
hot the horses podded steadily, with lowered heads
a cloud of brown dust wavered up from their heavy
hoofs, almost enyeloping planter and man. The signih-
of that solitary figure struck her suddenly with
thrill like pain. She knew in white moment the
emptiness of the symbol and the funess of the truth
Robert keeping their anniversary
Along the lane the side of the house boy
a lesurely pony. Mr.. Landon to homer" he called
he saw her.
"Over there" she guided him with her hand. "You
can ride through the pasture if you want to-" She
watched him across the green stretch until he stopped
the fence and waited then she went back to her work
When Robert at she asked him about it
"Oh Just little matter about that horse, you know
I'm goin to after dinner. You better get ready
you on the way back. It's only little off the road.
You don't want to go clear to town in the lumber
wagon, an you've been stayin home too much"
What! before the corns done!" Alice looked her
Roberts laugh was boyish "The corn's goin' to get
done all right Joe Davis is comm with his team
an finish. I've got to get load and it's gon to rain
When he helped her up on the high seat of the farm
;r becid her she M
a sudden joy Il believe I'd like to go all the way to
town. Why not?"
"Oh, 1 guess wouldn't; this wagon rides too hard.
Besides told Mrs. Davis you was comm, when went
over to get Joe. She'll be expectin you"
Mrs. Davis had the comfortable poise. OF woman
who fitted her particular niche to the satisfaction of her
self and everybody concerned She what the neigh
bors called capable; Davis not but that only
his wife opportunity to exercise her talent for man
aging Not that she was medding dctatorial; she
never made fuss-it waste of energy. She car
RED her small world steadily on its way with the quiet
restessness of an elemental force. Alice liked to be
with her; she gained store of strength thereby
But this afternoon she was coverty listening for the
expect him. Mrs Davis had an early supper for them
selves and the children, but still Robert did not come
Alice was undisgusedly anxious 1t was sunset when
he drove into the yard in the buggy Alice ran out IN
why what's the matter7 Where's the wagona Did
YOU break down? "
"Nothin' at all the matter. Run get your hat It
got late thought I'd go home first an do the chores
an let you have your visit out"
I
the main road and faced the west where the sun was
going down in billowing mass OF purple thunder
heads; therell be rain tomorrow"
The rolling fields blue-greenin in the halt-light
The birds flew low with swift dartlngs in pursuit OF
invisible insects The sorrel colt drew them swiftly
was dreanv content She slipped her hand under Rob-
erts arm and he smiled down at her.
You haven't had your supper" she said with sudden
"Yes, have. got lunch before htched up
knew you'd have yours. q,
When they drove up to the barn she stayed in the
buggy while Robert slipped the harness from the sorre
and let him through the pasture gate. AS they went
into the kitchen her husband put his arm around her
and drew her with him to the parlor door.
"Come in here minute" She glanced up at him,
half startled at the oddness of his tone He crossed the
room, and, rolling up the shade turned and looked at
shining bulk filled of the little parlor In
the fading light it cleaned wine-red, cut across by the
white of keys. SO,
color left her face Then she swept across the floor
like whrwind, and Robert gathered her up IN per-
feet storm of tears. az
"Why, why, whyl" He was really distressed. II
didn't s'pose you'd take it that way His own voice
was triAe unsteady. Wouldn't you rather have it
than anything elseH I've thought about 1t ever 6uc0
ooh, would would 1t isn't that It's just
When she was quieter, Robert smoothed her hair
back and said gently: "Ain't you goin' to try ith
Twoud good to hear you play again the way you
She hid her face in his with swift turn.
#? It's beautiful and love t-love it but just to-
nght want to shut it up in here and go out on the
porch" She drew him after her. He followed, smil-
ing, and closed the door.
The rain-soft air wrapped them in gust of fragrance
as they came out the porch They sat down on the
top step. The blooming fruit trees shone pale in the
dusk From somewhere the soft, quivering cry
of an owl The in her box on the he apple branGh
chirped uneasly, and her mate from his nearby twig
answered with sleepy twitter. finally Rooert said
at didn't seem just right not to do what you wanted
TO- but I'd been plannn' this since was married
knew you'd miss your piano. / was afraid it wouldn't
seem quite the same if you had it any other day And
then it didn't come as soon as Haynes Alice stopped
him. :, =,
Please-I don't want to know; only-could we af-
ford it2" nv
sides il wouldn't mean so much if really could
would itl Anyhow, that crop O. corn'n pay for it,