Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-07-07
D stay always now She said.

II was a couple of days later that
her father came out where she was
feeding the chickens one morning. IL
reckon It's about time for you to be
going back TO school, isn't it?" he said
quietly. II guess can get along all
light with mother now"
Gladys looked up quickly. I'm not
going back" she said.
mot going back!" he cried, his eyes
| lighting up with a sudden hope.
NO" she answered. with a brave at
tempt to smile. 1--WE had my good
lime. and now I'm going to stay here
md make things easy for you and
nommie"
The happiness that shone in her ia
TIERS face was worth all the sacrifice,
albeit 1t was guilty happiness as he
thought of what it meant to her. But
she cut short his objections by telling
him 1t was time TO so and feed the
pigs and then ran into the house with
merry song on her lips
A few days later jeff came over one
evening after supper. He found
Gladys out in the orchard with her
arms full of the fragrant apple bios
sons
They're so thick the tree would kill
itself trying to raise so many apples"
she said. And then mommie likes the
| flowers so we'll"
How do you like farming?" she
went on. us it as much fun as going
to schoolT
almost" he acknowledged. you
must come over and see the place.
There isn't a weed on it, and I've
got the corndelds in the best shape
for planting Of any I've seen any
where"
I'm afraid you're getting vain," said
Gladys, smiling at his enthusiasm.
I'm going to be farmer, too" she
added.
you don't mean you're not going
backY
She nodded.
"Then maybe you do understand"
"Yes, think l do. It's hardin
way-but it will be fun too. You'll
have to work if you make good your
boast of having the best farm in the
county. Just wait till you see what
I'm going to do with this"
He stood looking at her In silence
for a moment. That stray lock was
out Of place again, and In the dim
moonlight, DINNER for sitting through
the millions of apple blossoms, she
looked like some woodland fairy
come to touch the blossoms with her
magic wand and turn them into tiny
apples.
81 don't like competition, Gladys"
said Jeff, taking step nearer. IL
wonder-can't we be partners"
Perhaps she nodded, or perhaps 1t
was only the Pickering shadows that
made him think so, but the next mo-
ment he had caught her in his arms,
apple blossoms and all, and was tell
ing her that he had loved her ever
since that time she nearly scared him
out of the apple tree. And for once
she didn't accuse him Of talking fool
ishly.
The apple blossoms faded and FELL
and summer came to fulfill the prom
Uses of spring. Mabel came home from
college again, protesting against al
lowing Gladys to stay home while she
finished her course. But Gladys was
firm and had her way, as usual.
One evening nearly three weeks aft
er she came home Mabel was sitting
on the porch idly lingering the strings
of her mandolin and trying not to feel
lonely. Gladys had gone riding with
Jeff, and the sight of their happiness
somehow made Mabel feel lonesome
and left out, though she tried to drive
the feeling away by playing and hum
ming some Of the dear old melodies.
Suddenly she was aroused from her
reverie by the sound Of an automobile
coming up the driveway. 1t stopped
at the gate, and Harold leaped out
and hurried over to where she was
sitting.
won't you come for an auto ride"
he pleaded, "just for old times sake
for the sake Of those old songs you
were playingT
'T was thinking Of old times" said
Mabel as she rose and followed him
down to the gate. "Do you remember
the time you Unanswered to get me in
the back seat with Beth" she went on
mischievously as he helped her to the
drivers seat
"That was different Harold" he
said. Those old days seem like a
dream more than they do like part Of
my real life"
"You have changed" said Mabel.
eying him approvingly.
"Apd have you to thank for It." he