The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-30

grapevine swing aud sought rhe id
aTple tree The lilac branches baa
eiown gnDruned until their smoof 4
sfeen stems quite hid the cup-like hol
how. ''' ~
Adelia stood on tiptoe and thrusl
her little hand INTO The old letter
box The hollow was empty save
Tor a few dead and crumple.i leaves
anu a gathering OF moss. Just as she
Withdrew her hand her fingers were
c1ught iu 4 wanm, strong grasp.
Who is ~" demanded Melvin Tay.
Ion. $ voice from the other side sf~nhe
hedge.
Release me at once. commanded
Adella angTily.
-Oh. There was enlightenment in
his tone; bur the grasp only tighten
ed its hold.
"if you have the faintest instincts
oi a gentleman began Adelia after
while.
coldly.
Adelia leaned against the rugged
trunk OF the old tree. her white, out
stretched arm cleaning against the
brown bark. Her eyes were shining
IKE twin stars and her breath came
IN little gasps.
What-what do you want?" she
found courage 10 ask after another
painful silence.
There was moments hesitation
and then: u placed a note in here
Fifteen yeaIs ago" he began lamely.
.Wella'
i never received a reply he said
ginifly. his hold on her hand tighten
ing cruelty.
You are hurting my hand" she
said with a little cry.
You hurt my heart fifteen wears
ago. retorted Melvin stubbornly VT
Arter a long silence Adelia's voice
same faintly over the hedge. Il, TOO
q la*ea note there-1fteen years ago
NAnd2" qnerledAaEr. Taylor.
4 7 never recsived's "a reply to my
hote.
~Th4lickensr Mr.. Taylor whis-
dtIea Ssoffly Il never got, it, Adeliati
D64pn mean to say you never got a
note from me the day after-afier
we quarreled?" a
i never received any word from
you Adelia's voice was tremulous
now, as she added: IF you will re-
lease my hand
He relaxed his hold, reluctantly,
and Adelia slipped down in crump.
led heap in rhe soft turf at the foot
of the apple Tree.
Go. Adeiia be said gently. 1T ia
too hate for me to offer YOU anv apoI
cgy for my long silence: ! wrote YOU
o letter. asking your forgiveness and
] placed 4 here in the hollow be-
lieved von were hard and unforgiving
when did not receive any answer
ard / grew more angry with you, in.
stead Of seeking an explanation. Your
Lille note. as well as mine, was prob
ably taken by some marauding cat
bid to build his nest in the hedge
J think l.sball go awag now have
been such a fool want TO seek the
utiermost ends of the earth to try
and forget my folly,' His voice re-
gained its bitterness.
There was long silence after that.
Il am mere Melvin, said Adelia
MAY come over?' he asked in a
voice
Yes she said softly. but not so
softly that his eager ears did not
catch the longed-for words.
Presently he was beside her, the
old bovish smile on his lips the old
logelight in his eyes. the old happi- |
ness In his face.
Adelia flushing rosily, leaned 70.
support against the apple tree and
LEI down cast ewes dared not meet
his questioning ones.
"Will you forgive me, too she I
said sweetly, turning radiant face
ur TO him.
And then she came to him. all her
Sorrows stllled. all her happiness re-
stored ten.fold because of the pain
She had endured.
Overhead, the April sky was cloud
less, undertoot the green grass was
starred with dandelions; there In the
shade OF the beloved old apple tree,
Adelia's youth came back TO her.
with happiness and love and all the
I'D ideals. ls.-Copyright, 1910, by Asso-
lated Literary Press.)