The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-07-04
MEANT ANOTHER MAN
BY LOUISE HEILeERs.

the woman.
Next spring answered the man
"Just when the leaves are green l
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 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 a long time," she
said.
"But spring comes every year, Just
the same" the man reminded her. at
is here really all the while buried in
the bark and the earth, just waiting
for the signal to come to life again."
81 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. I 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 If I were some Silly
boy" the man frowned. "Have l 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, !"
the man promised her. I'VE shall be
married, Marion. when the leaves are
green"
He caught her to him with a sYddsn
passion. Marion. think of the spring
.vd me-" he whispered to her.
u. womanlike. she could onl, think
of ming winter.
A MAJ AID girl walked upon the,
grassy slope Of 4 hiir' IN southern
France. All about the cTocIses
cleaned like jewels amont the grass.
The sun was daffodil, the wind had
handfuls Of violets, the ski was big
hyacinth.
II love the spring-don tyou?" said
the girl, turning pink and vivid face
to his. ct makes me feel D. III were
being born again. Everything seems
SO fresh and new"
You make the spring foA me-" an
swered the man, and his hant1 touched
her dark. uncovered haf.
"But I don't make the sun and the
buds and the flowers" objected the
girl smilingly. And tie leaves-see
how green they are!"
His hand fell from he hair.
when the leaves ar, green" What
had he promised anotbf woman last
yeary To be back WHEN the leaves
were green again!
The leaves were greed He caught
His breath; then sudde1y a thought
came to his aid. The tree were green
here-yes-in the south but in Eng
land they would still be are and toss;
empty branches to the parrows and
the. wind.
He had another month at least. Ha
turned impatiently to th girl.
kiss me-" he said inSeratively.
Their lips met.
In April trees are greh. But April
came and went, and one woman
walked alone; May, Juf and July
sped by. all rose and bld; August
stalked through the bid with a.
scythe beneath his arm September;
red-cheeked. with winblown hair.
passed like a dream amng the or.
chards. Then came Octber and the
fall Of the leaves.
A man and a woma walked to-
gether through the wo{s to WHARF
the water cleaned amos the trees,
like a big. white bird VIA wings out
stretched.
you are six months bte." thu wo.
man answered DULY.
But journeys end ic3overss meet
fngs," he returned light. business
kept me, sweetheart--n my will"
"You are six months lte," the wo-
man said again. TOO fe.~ she add
ed significantly.
He stared at her. Vat do you
mean?" he asked
She turned suddenly d faced him.
a red spot Of color In eier cheek. her
eyes dark. intense.
what does 1t mean she asked,
|. when q man leaves dwoman for
: months without lettdor a wordf
' Il means another womai What does
: II mean when q woman1ft alone for
months, turns to somedy else for
4 companionshipf It mhs another
4 man."
9 And you promised tohit for mel"
q The man was white to b lips.