The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-09-24
CharlOtte's YOkel
By CLARISSA MACKIE
copyright. IoIo. BIZ Associated Literary Pres

woods there flowed the deep, swift
stream that dropped over the rocky
brink to form the waterfall below.
Charlotte went along the brink until
she came to curve in the bank that
formed dark deep pool that seemed
apart from the hurrying stream.
On a large, slippery rock above the
pool Charlotte sat down, dreamily
watching the ripping brook. AS she
dreamed the wild rose flush came
back to her cheeks.
She saw another summer day-in-
deed today was its anniversary. She
was sixteen, and she stole away from
Sunnyside, which had been her faith
er's house, and came to fish in the
dark pool for the monster trout. She
had been an ardent isherwoman then.
and skilful angler. Heart-free. care
free, she had gone about her fishing
that day; perched on the slippery rock
she had cast her fly, the pole dipped
and then Strengthened up as she
wound the reel
The big trout dashed out into the
stream with startling suddenness; in
another instant the pole flew from
Charlotte's clinging hands and she
slid swiftly down into the dark pool.
She was conscious of sinking to some
dreadful depth, there was a drum
ming in her ears and that was all
When she awoke she was lying on
the messy bank gasping for breath.
while over her leaned an awkward
country youth, homely enough, but
with a world of anxiety in his big
brown eyes. He was quite as wet
and dripping as she, and Charlotte
did not have to guess that he had
saved her life.
He carried her home through the
woods to Sunnyside; cutting across
through devious ways and taking
narrow woodland trails that reduced
! the ten miles to five. She recalled
his angry flush as he turned away
from the money her father had
thoughtlessly produced, and she was
! glad to remain his debtor
Ruth had laughed at his country
ways after the first fright was over:
Afterward Charlotte had met. Joel
! Crane several times by the trout
stream; their intimacy grew into
! friendship and love in the course of
few brief weeks. Then Mr. Owen
had discovered it and Charlotte was
hustled away to Europe.
Charlotte had waited. Once each
year she managed to get down to
Sunnyside at this season and the an
niversary Of the day he had saved
her life always found her at the rem
devious. No other man had attract
ed her, though Ruth had endeavored
TO secure for her sister a brilliant
marriage. But the younger girl, free
now to choose where she would, still
chung to her old love, though there
was little to foster it save memories,
for she had never seen or heard of
Joel Crane since that distant day, yet
the very memory of him thrilled her.
She heard her name called by diff
ferent members of the picnic party
which she would gladly have avoid
ed on this anniversary of hers, but
Ruth had unluckily chosen the day
for her picnic. Later she would go
down and join them-now, she must
dream awhile.
A man came swiftly along the bank
looking with eager eyes at the rock
above the deep pool Tall and strong
|
his step he was one of those who had
been born to woodlands and forest
solitudes. Under the soft felt hat his
hair struggled fiaxen in the sunshine
He wore a rough flannel suit and high
boots; in his hand was rod and reel
He paused and looked at the girl
with tender eyes aglow; he saw the
wistful smile that parted her lips
With a slight exclamation he was be
side her.
81 have come back" he said abrupt
ly. His hand reached out and caught
Charlotte as, startled, she lost hel
: balance and would have fallen into the
pool.
THE second timeH' she cried nerv
ously as he helped her to the ground
Ruth plucked at her sisters skirt.
as she passed and drew her down
Honey" she whispered, I've made {
horrible blunder. 1t seems Dicl
Fletcher has been engaged to marry
one of the Scott twins for severa
months; Bell, it ISL
Il don't care if he marries 'en
BOTH" said Charlotte recklessly.
But l feel like a fool, Lotte," saic
her sister distressfully. You see,
sort of limited to some of the girls
I that Dick-was- er-you know"
). Charlotte looked thoughtfully dow
! at a little ring woven of sweet gras
Q that circled her engagement finger
i If it will afford you any comfort
/ Ruth" she whispered, you may an
nounce my engagement to Joel Cram
D who is growing to be lumber mag
/ nate! I hope that will satisfy you
r ambition for met"