The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-05-31
IN APPLE PICkING TIME
BY izol.A FORESTER.

fHbluTe5- lnere Wdb uuiy Inc cOlOucis
herself, Peter. and Peters vie
Certainly on pleasant days the sso-
hawk rode over to argue with the
colonel, but he didn't count Gwennie
always called him the Mohawk. He
was so tall and straighs like an Indian.
and his face, too, was not unlike one
with its keen unblinking 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 be
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
fruit. He caught himself thinking Of
his 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 boy evidently hooking
apples in the colonel's 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 figure in
blue overalls far up In the branches
rewarded him.
Need any help, old MANI" he asked
genially. you could get them easier
with pole and 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 it 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 lunchtime came, Gwer
sent for sandwiches and fruits
spread it out under the apple tree
looking deliciously boyish and odd II
her overalls, with her hair tucked vi
| into close braids around her head. i
was the first time in years that Stan
| ley Inslee had felt the old thrill O
boyhood fun.
''Happy?v asked Gwen once as h
leaned back his head and laughe,
over something. II never knew yol
could laugh like that"
Very happy" responded Inslee. ="
don't see how ever managed to over
look you in petticoats and discover yol
in oyeralls."
You don't like girls, do you?
Gwen was always very direct. 1t wa
hard now to evade the icok III he
eyes.
J. Il can't bear them." Inslee sal
frankly. Perhaps Pm rather afrai
Of them. They are apt to be disturb
ing to ones peace of mind"
There must have been somebody
4 Gwen paused, cut careful slice fror
the chicken, and went on-"somebod
who hurt you some time to make yo
feel like that"
Inslee smiled back at her. musingl.
What else. witch?"
"Oh, nothing 1t doesn't concern m
one bit, anyway" said Gwen chez
, lily. "Only don't be so grumpy a
the time. need you for a neighbc
and good pal this year. I'm not g
ing away
Mr.. Insiee did not answer for
minute or two. He glanced up though
fully at the piquant face opposite.
I'm awfully glad you're to stay ;
!. Green Pastures. The colonel and
need feminine influence badly. L
5 you mind including me2"
+ Gwennie applied herself strictly
the serving Of the lunch remains al
avoided his eyes.
won't / be disturbing?" she aske
Horribly SO. Thank heaven. You'l
disturbing me now, Gwen. You're U
$ setting the peace of three year
' You're increasing my heart actio
d Gwen, and was told expressly by Il
!. doctor when ] came down here
= avoid anything that was liable to !
crease the heart action"
Il won't disturb IT," Gwen answere
placidly. I'm heart balm. just
nice, quiet heart balm. Peter'n 81
you IL you do that"
! But Inslee did not notice Peter st
wheeling away apples. He had lift
| Ovens tanned little hand and look'
| at 1t an instant through his eyeglass
/ as IL 1t were the oldest curiosity, al
then held 1t to his lips. 1t was n
cool. 1t felt warm and human. and
via &hnk cb mae oh - y