The Dolores star., 1916-06-02
CHAPTER v-continusd.

"Sure," said Mike, you'll git II right
yet. But was goin' to put me cauli-
flowers there"
paid "frind Morrissy"-for the
town!-as the far-o6 noon whistle at
Slab City blew. and took my lunch
down to the brook while the scraper
ratified or down the road.
The brook reminded me of the pool
was going to build, and the pool OF
Q vague dream, last night of the new
boarder. and then. with the patness Of
"well-made" play the boarder her.
self entered, as 1t were. That is, I
heard the buggy coming. and the voice
Of Bert. lay down fat behind the
tall weeds and grasses. and remained
hidden till the buggy had passed.
Then I finished my lunch. and lay
for quarter Of an hour lazIly regard
ing the sky, great blue sky with
cloud ships floating at anchor in its
depths, while the indescribable fra
GRANGE Of May in moist places filed
my nostrils and song sparrow prac-
ticed in the alders. As I got up to
return to my work, saw suddenly
that the old apple trees In my orchard
were showing pink-!,ust a frail hint
Of Il in the veil of young green. A
great cumulus cloud piled up like
Himalayan peak in the west beyond
my mouse-gray dwelling. To the left.
the new lawn was shiny brown. and as
I climbed the slopes the smell Of 1t
came to me. Out still farther to the
lett my land was already staked in
rows Of packed earth. neatly. The
scene was beautiful to my eyes, and
the imagined beauty Of tomorrow made
me almost run through the orchard
to leave my lunch basket in the kitchen
and get my tools for the afternoons
work. At ave o'clock. as Joe was leav-
ing the garden. and Mike had gone to
the barn to milk the cows. I. too, put
mp my tools, resolved to enjoy an
hours loaf-my first since bought the
farm! ~
scrubbed my hands and face at
the kitchen sink in tin basin which
recalled my childhood, took a long
draft from the tin dipper, filed my
pipe. and strolled down through the
budding orchard toward the brook.
The song sparrow was still singing.
The cloud ships were still riding at an
Choir. Even with my pipe in my mouth
I could smell the odor of moist places
In May. Walking beside the brook, I
suddenly found the green spears Of an
iris plant amid the grasses.
1 had scarcely gone six PAGES when I
heard the crackle Of footsteps on dead
twigs somewhere ahead of me, and a
moment later the vague form of q
woman was visible making her way
amid the impeding dead branches. I
stood still. She did not see me till
she was close up. Then she give q
slight stnrt and said. ~ beg your par
don. trust am not trespassing."
looked at her. while my pipe bowl
was hot In my calloused hand. She
was scarce more than girl. fancied.
pale and unmistakably not Of this
country world. cannot say how she
was dressed. save Tint she wore no hat
AID looked white and cool. But saw
that she had very blue eyes on each
side Of decidedly tilted nose, and
these eyes were Enthusiastically the kind
which twinkle.
'"Trespassing Is a relative term"
said l. after this, fear. rather rude;y
. prolonged scrutiny.
"You talk like Hills Rhetoric,' "
she smiled. with quick glance Mt the
incongruity Of my clothes.
Naturally" replied. at was the
textbook I formerly used with my
classes"
There was little upward gurgle
of laughter from the girl. "Clearness.
force and elegance. wasn't that the
great triumvlrate?" she said.
Something like that. I believe" said
i. II am trying to forget"
"And are these pines yours to for
get In? It should be easy. I was
walking out there in the road. and !
spied the brook over the wall and
climbed through the briers to walk be-
side It. because 1t was trying so hard
IT, talk to me. That was wrong Of
me, perhaps. but never could resist
q brook-nor pine trees. They are
such nice old men,"
sWhy. then" asked, "are the little
virgin birches always running away
from themr