Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-09

course a trees only a tree. after all,
and dollars are dollars. Almost any
thunderstorm might bring "A stroke of
lightning that woulc split 1t up"
"As if | hadn't thought of that"
walled Selma. Il never used to mind
thunderstorms. but now a. fash of
lightning sets me all of a-tremble. |
could spare the house sooner"
"Well. | guess I'll be going along"
murmured the Tree Man. Its too bad
your folks didn't set out this whole
hillside in spruces. There'd be a lot
Of money coming to you now, and
transplanting EN- isn't like killing
trees for timber. you know. Goodby.
ma'am. aud if you're ever eel our way
come and see our nurseries"
'Thank you" said Selma. I'D like
to come"
She watched the Tree Man until he
was out of sight. She saw him turn
several times and look back at the
the spruce. At least Selma thought
he was looking at the spruce; but, In
fact, he was looking at Selina's slim
figure outlined against the dark back
ground of the doorway. He was a
lonely man. and the picture haunted
him. All his life he had dreamed OF
a woman waiting his coming just like
that.
Before dawn the mex day there
came a violent thunderstorm. The
lightning played with evil persistency
around the old Hobbs place.
20 Lord. spare the treel" prayed
Selma, with her face pressed against
the dripping wlndowpane.
Then came the blasting stroke.
The spruce tree was spared, but the
remnant of the old homestead received
the deadly bolt.
By superhuman exertion Selma drag
ged her most precious belongings to
the shelter of the spruce tree by the
gate.
Down there under the dry protec-
ton of its branches Selma Hobbs
swayed gently in the old Boston rock.
er that had been her fathers favor
lite seat. Gathered around her were
pieces of treasured furniture. clothing,
old china and pictures. Nothing had
been consumed that she spent a mo
ment in regrefting.
1t was gray daylight when the Tree
Man came ~hurrying through the gate
and saw Selma Hobbs sitting under
the spruce tree just AS though she
lived there.
"Thank God" he said devoutly. .'that
you are safe. couldn't keep you out
of my mind this. morning after ] heard
that bolt. so ! just got up and dressed
and harnessed my horse. and I've come
right over to see
He hesitated and Redeemed. for his
deep interest in Selma WAS as unac
countabie as It vas unexpected by the
lonely little woman
you're very kind" said Selma.
placing a chair for him, and then she
blushed too.
They talked about the fire and Sell
mas future plans. She would go and
stay with a cousin for awhile until the
insurance was paid. when she would
have a tiny cottage built.
81 believe I'll try raising some spruce
trees" said Selma timidly at last.
81 was thinking Of that he said
gravely. "but don't decide until you
e me again"
Selma promised.
OF course 1t required a great many
interviews to decide such a momentous
question as confronted Selma, and
then, after all. something happened
that changed all Selina's plans and in
cidentally the plans Of the Tree Man.
The something was Selina's wedding
Under the spruce tree. Now the hill
side Is clothed with dark Seeding
spruce. but always the guardian spruce
stands near the cottage. where 1t waves
its arms gayly to Selma while she
stands in the doorway and waits for
the coming Of her Tree Man.