United labor bulletin., 1913-06-21
In SYLVAN SETTING
1t Was Only a Stage Scene, With
Birds and Trees for an
Audience.
BY MARIAN JORDAN.


to catch the 1880 train for Stlll"a-
ter. He did not unfold the newspa-
per he had bought nor did he enter
the smoking car during the hour
journey. He sat perfectly quiet In
corner of the seat, pulled his hat down
over his eyes and dreamed of the glao
surprise in Elinor Blaine's face when
she saw him coming.
He was the only passenger to alight
at the little red-painted station and ne
watched the dusty train crawl away
among the scrub oaks before he turn
ed into the narrow, wood-bordereo
path that was a short cut to the
Blaine's place.
Birds sang in the tall trees and
there were murmurings and scurry-
ings of insect life among the dry
leaves under foot, and the faint. elu-
sive scents of the deep woods
Suddenly the tall trees thinned to
cleared land. and beyond lay the green
canopies of a hundred apple trees IL
was the Blaine orchard. Here Jerry
would. hide and initiate the call OF the
wood thrush-many a time during the
from the house with his magic futing
and she had confessed that some
times she had been deceived by the
actual brown bird himself.
The brown trunks of the apple trees
made long golden-green aisles OF the
orchard AS Jerry stepped softly
along the springy turf he glimpsed
touch of the pale color from the house
and he saw that Elinor herself was
coming to the orchard What luck!
The low branches of tree tempted
him, and he swung up until he was
quite hidden in the green foliage
From his perch he could see Elinor
golden hair glinting IN the sun. Pres
emily she was in plain view. stepping
slowly down one of the green aisles
toward him.
What a picture she made-her deli
cate blonde beauty enhanced by the
pale blue muslin gown she wore, with
its round neck and short sleeves
edged with a foam of dainty lace
From pink ribbons she swung white
leghorn hat laden with pink roses and
her little white-shod feet looked like
He wondered II she was thinking
of him-at least she should have been
he argued-for her lovely head was
slightly lifted and her blue eyes were
dreamily fixed on the vista beyond
Before Jerry could flute the first
thrush-like call Elinor had paused and
with glad eyes and tremulous smile
fixed straight ahead. she waited.
Jerry craned his neck, and as hasd
" drew back. his mind in a tumult
his heart hammering in Jealous de
spair.
a man was coming-such a man
too He was handsomer than homely
Jerry Wayland; a man dressed in
white serge. with a white Panama hat
tilted back on his dark curly hair and
his white teeth cleaning beneath q
tiny black mustache. AS he drew
nearer Jerry noticed with another
pang that the stranger wore a laven
der silk scarf and lavender socks
The two-the girl waiting and the
man slowly advancing with love-lighi
in hic eyes-made a picture in the
sunlit orchard.
AT last they met and the man gath
cred the girls hands in both his OWL
and lifted them to his lips.
French" muttered Jerry dazedly
Elinor hung her head shyly.
II thought you would never come
Paul" she said in her low, sweet
voice Dear heart" he kissed hel
hands once more before he reluctant,
for me?"
Yes" she sighed.
And you meant what your lettel
said-that you-care for me-there 4.
no one else?" he asked softly.
There is no one else" she re
turned.
There never has been-anothel
that you loved?" he persisted.
Never" she said. turning her blue
eyes trustfully to him.
There was fallen log nearby and
forming another picture of beautiful
innocence. Paul rested one foot or
the log and bent gracefully over her
Dearest" he said. holding the little
hand she lifted confidingly to his. Iii
your father were not so obdurate.
would be the happiest man in the
world"
Elinor sadly shook her head. He
is cruel" she faltered.
"Of course, l am penniless. but
am young. and have two strong
hands to conquer worlds for youi'
cried Paul with sudden passion, land
yet-yet your father holds to his
promise that you shall marry-that-
that-what shall call him?" he asked
brokenly.
"A mercenary ape" framed Elinor's
sweet lips.
That you shall marry a mercenary