The Red Cloud chief., 1911-09-07

her at her gate. he halted In the ~oad
In the wonder Of swift realization.
He had not been bored.
A week later rambling near the
clearing he caught a glimpse OF Grim.
son through the trees. He had volur.
teered to keep an eye on the heather.
He did at once--until the sudden au.
tumn darkness forced him to see My.
sic home.
AT their third meeting. for variety.
he guided her by old logging roads
strange to her The charm OF the odd
companionship laid an unsupported
spell upon them both. Through win.
ter SHOWS and February thaws they
ionnd excuse for meeting uu'
der the open sky. oftenest In the
woods. where John Bowditch's kpowl.
edge opened a new world for the girl.
He taught her the use Of snowsnoes:
and on them they followed together
the tracks OF the tiny. shy wood hab
itants.
Before spring winds blew they we're
tried friends--"chums." Mysie secret.
ly phrased II with occasional wonder.
As for John. he hardly realized My.
sizes girlhood in his delight In her
sympathetic company. ...I
One day when they had been roam.
Ing the woods for great punches OF
violets. he had found his comrade un.
usually quiet. As they rea he'd the
clearing. they stopped moment by
the faithful patch Of heather which
had braved the winter storms. .,.
1T 10 hard to realize" Mysie said.
with q catch in her voice. that I'm
not to see II blooming" ....i..
Why not?" John demanded sharp
They say now I must 20 home In
June. My sister Is to be married.
They need me-. tytI fi".a
Mysie's lips trcmbled. She hardly
dared glance at the kind. studious,
familiar face. Che anticipated its
look Of pain. The look was there
and with II the amazement Of man
who leaps to sudden understa nding
of himself. ..... ,,... ,..., .
"Mysie." his voice rang deep. In,
tense. Il need you more. That is
| mean--no. mean Just that! | can.
not let you go!'" az st .. ...
Mysie dropped her violets in a sud
den gesture o. dismay-yet on the
instant felt that this all was strangely
right John Bowditch went on ~ q
an excitement new TO him. ...,.,
I've, known We were gpC@ friends
I didn't know how much more. You
Scotch girl. you've grown as ieep into
my life as that heather into the soil! 4!
II you are torn out It will leave q
great. empty place. But---", eco.
He looked at her and paused. Per
haps he really saw her fresh. girlish
beauty for the first time. "A shadow
settled on his face; he vent on In 9
different tone. ,s, h., ..
I'm talking foolishly,, I'm twice
your age. My home Is here. miles
enough from your dear Scotland. II
was ,selnshness., Please forget It all. y
But Mysie was reaching out both
hands to him across the heather,
"Oh. John. John! Can't you see that
I'm transplanted for good? II you
root me up. I may wither-die!
didn't want TO 60 back-pnly hadn't
any excuse to stay"
AZ they walked home through the
rich May sunlight. stirred by the
pulse Of new life around and within
them. John stopped short.
"Mysie.Hi he said earnestly. Its. no
use You mustn't love me. I'm q
| fraud, A." .,, .l..r.
She faced him. suddenly white.
you didn't suspect, he went on
doggedly You were too truthful ia
dream could cheat I, planted that
heather-an experiment. That's why
told you to keep It secret. I'm
ashamed. sorry. But how could fore.
see all this?"
Then In wonder at he radiant
laughter OF her eyes: dearest. how
could dream It would lead me to
your"
She smiled with loving mockery
and leaned tantalizingly toward him
rs that why you're so sorry for II,
John?" she asked.