Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-03

(Written Specially for The Bulletin )
 On the old Post farm in New Eng land there was fiourishing apple orchard, the pride of its owner and the envy of his neighbors, who did not see why their trees should not thrive and bear as did his. John Post could have told them had he been so inclined. Many an hour had he spent in caring for those trees. when his critics had taken their ease and trusted to luck for a harvest. And what a delight the trees were to him bloom how great a feast of beauty and fragrance they furnished! On through the summer how the household shared his pleasure as he reported progress from time to time in the growth of the fruiti Then In the autumn all rejoiced with him at the wealth of the harvest.
 No one entered more closely inta his enjoyment of the orchard than his pet daughter Lucy. the youngest child among several brothers and sis ters. Her father knew he could al- ways rely on her sympathy, and her fondness for outdoor life made her a frequent companion when he was at his daily task about the farm.
 Especially was Lucy happy in ap- pie blossom time. Perhaps because her birthday came then and was us- ually celebrated by feast under the apple trees. The entire amily cir cle vied with one another in making Lucy happy on that day for she was the darling of the household
 At those birthday parties the neigh boring children were often included and merry time they had under the fragrant apple boughs. As they grew older, it was plainly to be seen that of all those who favored Lucy, she favored Harry Weston more than any other and so it was no surprise when it became known that they had prom ised to join their lives in the near future How near, depended on Harry's success in the far West. He had decided that for him the open ing lay in the apple growing section of Washington on the Pacific slope. There" he declared, apples are ap- ples, and young men have a chance to grow up with the country, pro- vided they can get the right kind of girl to help them on to fortune,' and he looked at Lucy as if he knew where the right girl for him was to be found. She blushed and dimpled under his fond look. and evidently felt that life at the West with Harry would repay her for all she should sacrifice in the exchange from home to ranch.
 Consent was gained from her par ents with this condition. Harry must De certain Ot HIS own planS DSlOFo ne could take Lucy from the home circle.
 So to the far West he went to ar range for the future, saying laughinGly When the apples bloom, you will see me return for my bride" Meantime he wrote home frequent and glowing reports of the country and of his own affairs He had established his claim, he wrote, and his orchard was set out; he had found very pleasant people for neighbors, not quite so near as at home. but neighbors counted as such at greater distances than in the East and they were all ready to welcome Lucy when she came. ''The home is to be built, but my girl will not mind roughing 1t a bit till a house can be provided
 Lucy's friends felt that she was un- dertaking great risk in entering upon a pioneer life but if ever her heart quailed at the prospect, she kept it to herself, and to all who tried to condole with her she only said, I'd do more than that for Harry. He is so brave and ambitious. I am sure he needs as good a home as I can make for him. It's no more than women did here in New England in colonial times. Why should I be afraid to attempt it?"
 Even Harry realized that the life he offered her called for much self-sac- rife, and said to her on his arrival in much of you. too much perhaps. Take frontier life is too much for you to happy in such home as I can offer