The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-07-05

We were happy party as we
lunched at the lodge. We barbecued
our robins and some OF the doves on
little spits over a charcoal fire and
etewed some with rice. We rode home
early, however, more to see Miss
Ellen, think, than for any other rea-
son. Each would have left all his
game at her feet, but she would not
have 1t so, but said she would take
what 1 had killed in part payment for
my board, which innocent remark
brought deep flush to my cheek, re-
member1ng, as l did, my unhappy
mistake when I first arrived at the
Pines. We described our sport, and
she showed interest in everything we
said and all we had done. Presently,
looking at the sun, she exclaimed:
Come; go home, you boys, for | am
not going to ask you to stay to dinner,
and be here early Thursday morning
or l will not dance with any of you al
the party" 1t took them but a few
minutes to get their horses and disap-
pear down the road.
"And you. sir" she said, turning to
me as we lost sight of the others
what are you going to do in the way
of reparation now that you and your
friends have put me back in my work."
set the table and bring the wood"
cried.
"Come; you shall set the table, for
the wood has been brought in already"
! followed to the dining room, where
she threw me the tablecloth.
"Be careful" she laughed, "for it
will not bear rough handling, though
I dare say father would tell you that
it has lasted since General Oglethorpe
breakfasted off it and therefore will
last after we are dead"
And so we set the table, Miss Ellen
running to the kitchen every now and
then and coming back to straighten
the knives and forks, telling me that
men were no earthly good about a
house. Once our hands touched while
placing the plates, and instantly, as If
by instinct, we faced each other, and
our eyes met. After that she kept on
the other side of the table from me
and later sent me upstairs to dress for
dinner. When | came down there
ses med to be a glow on her cheek, and
in her hair there was stuck a wild rose
which | had brought her from the
woods.
The next three days all was hustle.
The boys and girls came on Thursday,
each bringing something in a basket.
I
One was put to beat the whites Of the
eggs and another the yolks. Some one
was detailed TO mix the cake and still
another to watch 1t after it had beer
put into the oven. Margaret Robert
son was given squad ana ordered "a
decorate the hall with greens. The
jelly was made, and some one wa,
sent with ii to the springhouse, where
Il was left to cool and harden. Every
now and then the colonel would ap
pear at the kitchen door to tell us
what times they used to have before
the war when he was boy.
That night when all were gone and
Bud had fallen asleep in a chair Miss
Ellen and ! went on the lawn to look
at the moon.
Miss Ellen | said, 81 am happy
here, and hate to leave the Pines"
'Why do you talk of goingT she
said, her voice subdued and her face
turned away.
Because l do not want to outlive
my welcome" l said.
mo one does that at the Pines. AS
you see, there is not much to offer
but our friends are always welcome
Bud likes you, and father seems
younger since you came"
"And your l said, drawing a ste1
nearer TO her.
"Oh, I!' She gave a little gasp and
ended with a laegh. at is as easy to
cook for five as it is for four, so don't
think Of leaving on my account"
THAT Is what hurts" / said. III
you did not have to do this or If !
had only known you long enough to
tell you all that is In my mind"
ended bitterly.
She held nm her hnQar and lauqhinp