The Huttig news., 1914-01-24
MEANT ANOTHER MAN
BY LOUISE HEiLGERS.

Just when the leaves are green l shall he 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
 It is not easy in the autumn to think of spring.
 The young woman sighed as she looked
 Tt will seem long time," she said.
 But spring comes every year, just the same" the man reminded her Tt is here really all the while buried. in the bark and the earth, just waiting for the signal to come to life again"
 Fl 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, I might re member The man slipped an arm through hers caressingly Come, Marion. cheer up. I refuse to be de- pressed by dismal prophecies. I 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 were some silly boy the man drowned. Have I 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 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 girl walked upon the grassy slope of a hill in southern France. All about the crocuses gleamed like jewels among the grass. The sun was daffodil, the wind had handfuls of violets, the sky was big hyacinth.
 T love the spring-den't you?" said the girl, turning a pink and vivid face to his. "It 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 her dark, uncovered hair
 "But I 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 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 gleamed among the trees, like 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-not my will
 You are six months late, the wo- man said again. "Too late,' she add ed significantly.
 He stared at her "Wl at do you mean?" he asked.
 She turned suddenly and faced him, red spot of color in either cheek her eyes dark, intense.
 What does it mean" she asked, when man leaves woman for months without letter or word? It means another woman. What does it mean when a woman, left alone for months, turns to somebody else for companionship? IL means another man"
 And you promised to wait for mel" The man was white to the lips.
 She laughed-a bitter little laugh
 Till the leaves were green you said Well. waited But now"-she