Morris tribune., 1911-11-03

the very place for him to recuperate
his strength. and yet there was little
likelihood that they would let him in.
for it evidently was the home of
prosperous farmer-one who had no
need to board an invalid young man.
no matter how handsome and charm
ing he might be. and Thorley was both
Of these.
Still, he stood there watching the
chickens scratching in the gravel and
hearing the soft muff1ed nip of the
Jerseys as they cropped the clover.
Then came a surprise. A sunbonnet
came down shaded path that wound
among thick syringa bushes and bob
bed to a standstill before him. They
stared at each other, stricken with sur
prise.
"Well?' said the girl at last, for she
was the prettiest farmers daughter
Thorley had ever seen. and he had
held her brown eyes in Ms own de-
lighted gaze.
"Well." echoed Thorley. "you see
I'm looking for board at farmhouse.
rather like the looks Of this one"
"You do, do your she mimicked him.
with dancing eyes. "Shall run and
ask Uncle Nathan if he wishes to take
a boarder?"
"You wouldn't be so kind?" he cried
excitedly.
"Wait." she called over her shoulder
and was gone. Presently she returned
and beckoned him into the house,
where. in the cool recesses of dim
parlor. he concluded most satisfac
tory bargain with the girls aunt. Mrs.
Beck. kindly. white haired woman.
who took much interest in an account
of his illness. The Beeks sent wagon
after Thorley's trunk, and he was COM
fortably installed in a large front
room. with a fire Of hickory logs
frightening the cool twilight.
He saw the sunset glory above the
mountain peak. He heard the song of
birds and the gentle lowing of the
cows. He slept in the hammock for
hours, lulled by the sweet breezes that
swept through the pines. He walked
longer distances every day, regaining
health and strength as the summer
advanced.
In the meantime the pretty niece of
the Beeks-Margie they called her
fitted around the place like slim,
bright eyed bird. Sometimes she read
to Thorley as he lay in the hammock,
and sometimes he read to her, but the
themes he chose led by devious ways
to the sweet subject Of love, and when
ever she gained clew to the thread
Of his narrative she would fly away
with flushed cheeks and eyes hidden
behind a soft sweep of long lashes.
Then Thorley would not see her for
a day or two.
One day Mrs. Beck came out and sat
in big rocking chair near Thorley's
hammock and knitted busily at scar
let shawl.
"Margie is driving with Mart Bent
ly," said Mrs. Beck. as if this piece
Of news was not the most stupendous
blow Thorley had ever experienced.
Mart Bently," repeated Thorley.
'Why, why?" His voice ended inter-
negatively.
81 expect Margie likes to be with
him. You know they were playmates
when they were little," said Mrs. Beck
calmly.
81 didn't know" said Thorley saw
agely.
"Of course you couldn't be expected
to know about it. I'm glad to see you
looking so much better, Mr.. Thorley,"
she went on. "We pride ourselves that
Rosedale has been the making of you"
"It has, together with your good
care, Mrs. Beck" he said gratefully.
II hope you'll run out often" said
Mrs. Beck pleasantly. maybe you
have one of those automobiles?
Eyes. have. and these roads are all
right" said Thorley, with rising spir-
its. II suppose Miss Margie will be
here all summer"
81 suppose so," said Mrs. Beck, ris-
ing to leave. ''Here come Mart and |
Margie now. They're a handsome |
couple. |
Thorley did not stop to verify this
statement. He turned out Of the ham, |
mock and strode across the lawn and
down through the orchard, where he
leaned against the fence which border
ed a deep. rumbling brown brook.
His rebellious heart was humping
angrily. strongly. He longed for the
touch of Margie's cool, slim fingers
and the glance Of her soft. dark eyes.
But very likely her fingers and her
soft glances were for Mart Bently. the
good looking young stock raiser, whose
place adjoined that of the Beeks.
Thorley did not hear light step on
the orchard grass, and it was not until
Margie's slim white clad figure ap-
peared beside him that he knew he
was not alone.
He looked at her without speaking
for monent; then suddenly he turn
ed and crushed her hands in his strong |