The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-18

den apprehension. Something dread
full had happened-she had sent
Treadwell on a fools errand to that
other Henry Birdsey in the village,
and she had not warned him that the
men were cutting trees on the wood
lot that bordered the road. She had
lied to him, and now something had
happened-something that she would
remember the rest of her life and re-
greet.
Fear-and something else-lent
wings to her feet. Out of the gate
and down the road with beating heart
she sped intent on one object-fnding
Jack Treadwell and telling him be-
fore he died-of her wickedness.
The road wound sinuously. Eleanor
flew around a curve straight into some-
body's open arms. She drew back
with glad cry that was unniistakable
and chung to Treadwell's outstretched
hand, forgetful of her despised work
ing attire.
ooh, you are safe-I thought tree
must have fallen upon you" she cried !:
81 heard the noise-and I thought IL
was YOU
Mr. TreadwelIs face cleared won
derfully; he looked keenly at Eleanor
gown with its rolled-up sleeves and
the becoming sunbonnet falling back
from her bronze hair. He held closely
to Eleanor's hand in spite of her eff
forts to release it.
In6 tree Tell before my uloCAiAAS
reached the spot. 1t fell across the
road and would have crushed me II 1
had kept on. AS it was. had stopped
the machine this side of the curve anu
was debating whether 1 would go back
again and look at the other SIDE OF
that pink bonnet. / wanted to ask you
why you sent me on.
Eleanor flushed rosily. You knew
me ?" she faItered.
"Of COURSE knew your hands and
that telltale ring on your little finger
recognized you in a dozen ways that
your voice could not hide. Tell me,
Eleanor-Miss Birdsey, I suppose II
must bet was evident you did not
want to see me and yet-you are GLAD
to see me now?"
Eleanor lifted face changing with sev
eral emotions. ct have a confession g
| make she said with proud humility. my
visit to Mountaintop was an event. 4
was my first taste of that sort OF pleas
ure and it was charming of Grace Forbe!
to invite me; But after It was oyer
| house. 1 did not want you to come-Io'
that reason"
.'For that reason alone?" asked Tread
ws She s noddeG $50 when I recognized
your voice today, told you a falsehooe
and sent you on-but I apologize Tor my
'sYou must not do that / am sure yo,
had a perfect right to deny yoursef x
hanging up the Clothes. Miss Birdsey. LIZ.
us sit down on this rock-tell me al
about it."
He listened with interest to her simple
story of the farm life.
When she had finished he spoke or him
self. st was born and brought up on
farm like this; everybody's dead now. In
an artist you know, and I'm rather poor
/ have enough to live happily on ant
| have little fun now and then, but n
| not up to the pace of the crowd you me
at Mountaintop.
Eleanor was smiling happily Aun
Testers voice broke the little silence tina
| followed Treadwell's words.
"Fleanorv' she called. ELEANOR!
IT fhust go-and finish hanging up tn
MAY 1 come around after supper AM
! take you out in the -Whirlwind?" he ask
| ed quickly.
I'D love to 60"
| a few weeksy
There was the ong-drawn silence OF
midsummer day; the buzzing or bee
| the distant chirp of a bird. Then Apn
Testers voice across the intervening
| space:
"Eieanor." repeated Treadwell softly
| YES she said. evading his glance. :
| hone YOU will"-(Copyrighted, 1910, b.
| Associated Literary Press)