Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-08-30
ORLEANS COUNTY MONITOR. WEDNESDAY AUGUST So 1915


rather forward, under the circum-
stances. don't you think7"
ut might be-and it might not be-"
I answered. Ibid you have a good
timer
'"The best ever had-till you spoiled
it," she exclaimed. "Oh, the nice, cold
brook! Now, let's build the path you
spoke about once"
We went back to the naples, where
the ground was open. and selected
spot on the edge Of the pines where the
path would most naturally enter. Then
we let it wind along by the brook
When we reached the bayfield, wall be-
side the house it was nearly six o'clock.
Nov. let's Just walk back through
it," she cried. Tomorrow we can
bring the wheelbarrow, can't we, and
pick up the litter we've nader"
II can, at any rate, while you wade"
said I.
She shot a little look up into my
face. Il guess III help" she smiled.
In the low afternoon light We turned
about and retraced our steps. There
was but q fringe Of pines along the
southern wall, and as they were forty
year-od trees here the view both back
to the house and over the wall into the
next pasture was airy and open. Then
the path led through q corner Of the
tamarack swamp where In wet weather
I should have to put down some pIanka,
and where the cattails grew breast
high on either side. Then It entered
the thick pine grove where q great
many OF the trees were evidently not
moro than fifteen OF twenty years old
and grew very close. SThe sunlight was
shut out save for daggers OF blue be-
tween the trunks toward the west. The
air seemed hushed. as II twilight were
already brooding here. The little brook
rippled softly.
AS we came to the first crossing, I
pointed to the pool, already dark with
shadow, and said, ut was wrong Of
me to play Action to your Diana, but
am not ashamed nor sorry. You were
very charming in the dappled light,
and you were doing a natural thing.
and in among these little pines, per
haps, two friends may be two friends,
though they are man and woman"
She did not reply at once, but stood
beside me looking at the dark pool and
apparently listening to the whisper of
the running water against the stepping
stones. Finally she said with a little
laugh, 81 have always thought that per-
haps Diana was unduly severe. Come
we must be moving on
Once more we entered the pines, fol.
lowing the new path over the brook
again to the spot where we first had
met. There I touched her hand. "Let
us wait for the thrush here" I whis
pered.
I could see her glimmering face
lifted to mine. "Why here" she asked
because it was here we first heard
him."
ooh, forgive me-" she answered. "1
didn't realize! The path has made II
look different, guess. Forgive me-"
She spoke very low, and her voice
was grieving. Did it mean so much
TO ner! A SUDDEN pdng Went through
my heart-and then a sudden hot wave
of joy-and then sudden doubts. I was
silent. So was the thrush. Presently
I touched her hand again, gently.
"Come," said I, ''we have scared
him with our chopping. He will com,
back, though, and then we will wall
down the clean path, making no noise
and hear him sing"
mice path" she said, ito come on
Of your door, through your orchard
and wander up a path by a brook
through your own pines! Oh, fortunat
mortalv'
"And find Diana wading in a pool,
I added.
Again she shot an odd, questionin
| look at me, and shook her head. The,
she ran into the south room and OH
the books back on the shelves.
(which one did you read, Marius O
Alice?' asked.
"Neither," she smiled, as locked tb
house behind US.
(To be continued.)