The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1913-04-10
iatANT ANOTHER MAN
RY LOUISE HEILGERS.

Next spring" answered the man.
Just when the leaves are green |
shall be here with you again"
They are yellow now," said the wo-
man, her eyes on the fading trees
about them. A cold little wind sent
plenty of bronze and golden treasure
fallen from their branches scurrying
about their feet.
There was a smell of damp earth
and bracken In the air. On the gray
river beyond more yellow leaves float
ed heralds to the water fowl Of the
coming winter
1t is not easy in the autumn to think
of spring.
The young woman sighed as she
looked
1t will seem long time," she
said.
But spring comes every year, just
the same" the man reminded her 1T
is here really all the while buried in
the bark and the earth. just waiting
for the signal to come to life again"
Il was not thinking of the spring
just then" said the woman, but OF
you
What are six months?" asked the
man; six months out of lifetime?"
Everything or nothing" the woman
returned. You may forget"
But, on the other hand, might re-
member" The man slipped an arm
through hers caressingly. Come,
Marion. cheer up. refuse to be de-
pressed by dismal prophecies. l am
yours: you are mine. Nothing can
alter that-save death
And another woman" The words
slipped from her almost unconscious
ly. You will meet so many on your
travels. and the nearest woman Is al
ways the dearest"
You talk as il were some silly
boy" the man frowned. Have ever
given you cause to be jealous of me,
Marion?"
NO" she answered, truthfully.
But then you have never been away
before"
Next time you shall come with me" I"
the man promised her 1--WE shall be
married, Marion, when the leaves are
green"
He caught her to him with sudden
passion. Marion, think of the spring
and me-" he whispered to her.
But, womanlike, she could only think
of the coming winter.
A man and a girl walked upon the
grassy slope of hill in southern
France. All about the crocuses
cleaned like jewels among the grass
The sun was daffodil, the wind had
handfuls of violets, the sky was big
hyacinth.
81 love the spring-don't you?" said
the girl, turning pink and vivid face
to his. 1T makes me feel as If were
being born again. Everything seems
so fresh and new"
"You make the spring for me-" an
swered the man, and his hand touched
ner QdTk, unCOVeTeu udiI.
But / don't make the sun and the
buds and the flowers" objected the
girl smilingly. "And the leaves-see
how green they are!"
His hand fell from her hair.
when the leaves are green" What
had he promised another woman last
year? To be back when the leaves
were green again!
The leaves were green. He caught
his breath; then suddenly thought
came to his aid The trees were green
here-yes-in the south, but IN Eng
land they would still be bare and toss
empty branches to the sparrows and
the wind.
He had another month at least. He
turned impatiently to the girl.
kiss me-" he said imperatively.
Their lips met.
In April trees are green. But April
came and went, and one woman
walked alone; May, June and July
sped by, all rose and gold; August
stalked through the land with a
scythe beneath his arm; September,
red.cheeked, with wind-blown hair,
passed like dream among the or
chards. Then came October and the
fall Of the leaves.
A man and a woman walked to-
gether through the woods to where
the water cleaned among the trees.
like a big, white bird with wings out
stretched.
"You are six months late" the wo-
man answered DULY.
But journeys end in lovers meet
ings," he returned lightly. Business
kept me, sweetheart-notm my will"
"You are six months late" the wo-
man said again. TOO late" she add
ed significantly.
He stared at her. what do you
mean?" he asked.
She turned suddenly and faced him.
a red spot Of color in either cheek, her
eyes dark, intense.
What does 1t mean." she asked.
when a man leaves a woman for
months without letter or word?