The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-07-14

per syndieateJ
Things were deadly dull at Green
Pastures. There was only the colonel.
herself. Peter. and Peters wife.
Certainly on pleasant days the Mo-
hawk rode over to argue with the
colonel. but he didn't count Gwennie
always called him the Mohawk Ne
was SO tall and straighs like an Indian.
and his face, too, was not unlike one
with its keen unblinkng eyes, slightly
aquiline nose. and thick dark hair.
He never noticed the colonels daugh.
ter. She was away most OF the year.
1t had not occurred to him to ask the
colonel anything about her. 1t was
enough that during July and August
she appeared and managed to upset
some OF the regular routine OF life
for both OF them.
1t was three years now since he
had bought up the adjoining estate to
escape from memories OF a womAn-a
very wonderful woman with cool
hands and smiling eyes who had mar
ried his closest friend later He did
not like persons of the feminine per-
suasion any more.
Today, as he rode down the forest
road. he was thinking OF apples. oddly
enough. 1t was the season OF apples
Every now and then he had passed an
orchard with trees hanging heavy with
lruit He caught, himself thinking of
mis- boyhood and OF a boy who had
loved to climb apple trees and find the
ripest OF the lot. and all at once he
stopped Monsieur in the road.
There was a boy evidently hooking
apples in the colonels best orchard
He dismounted passed Monsieurs
bride rein around the fence post, and
entered the orchard.
Under the particular tree he paused
Only a vague outline OF a figure in
blue oyeralls far up in the branches
rewarded him.
Need any help, old mani" he asked
genially. You could get them easier
with a pole and a bag"
Just then the leaves and branches
parted, and he found himself looking
straight into Gwennie's laughing face
I'm not hooking them, Mr. Inslee.
I'm trying TO get the Shepherd Sweet.
ings in for father Don't you want to
hunt ladder and help?"
So # happened that all through the
long morning, the two worked faith
fully together unknown to the colonel
Old Peter travelled back and forth with
wheelbarrow loads in baskets, and
tree after tree lost its precious burden.
When lunchtme came. Gwen
sent for sandwiches and fruits.
spread it out under the apple tree.
looking deliciously boyish and odd IN
her overalls, with her hair tucked up
into close braids around her head. II
was the first time in years that Stan
ley lnsles had felt the old thrill OF
boyhood fun.
Happy" asked Gwen once as he
leaned back his head and laughed
over something. i never knew you
could laugh like that"
Very happy responded Inslee. Il
don't see how / ever managed to over.
look you IN petticoats and discover you
in oyeralls"
You don't like girls, do you?'
Gwen was always very direct 1t was
hard now to evade the look in her
eyes.
Il can't bear them" Inslee said
frankly. Perhaps I'm rather afraid
OF them. They are apt TO be disturb
ing to ones peace of mind"
There must have been somebody
Gwen paused. cut d careful slice from
the chicken, and went on-"somebody
who hurt you some time to make you
feel like that"
1nslee smiled back at her. musingly
What else, witchg"
oh, nothing It doesn't concern me
one bit. anyway" said Gwen cheer
lily Only don't be 80 grumpy all
the time. ! need you for a neighbor
and good pal this year. I'm not go
ing away"
Mr.. lnslee did not answer for q
minute or two. He glanced up thought.
fully at the plquant face opposite
I'm swfully glad you're TO stay at
Green Pastures The colonel and
need feminine influence badly. Do
you mind including ms?"