The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-09-08
ly "a "a H M hAh>
APPLE BLOSSOM
sy EARL READ sIlyr0.
"a "a II IA "a M AA>

r said MS last good-by.
! She and Edgar had o
gether. Living on adjaceU, 't f.. y
had only been natural H.. .ss'
y should drop over of an eve a,s' U
on the broad porch of the SmIsS y
dence. 'uin /,
The Gillian farm was on.
most prosperous in that sectiO,
state; the Gillams thamso,u
/, al that could be desired sOci,p,
/, Edgar, as the only son and ~!
much sought after by the pi,1' \
village. He was a tall, r1ns,'.I
young man, with light, curly M.
invited stray fingers, and Mn.
which looked ut one with a ~
frankness which was almoS, =
certing.
But there had been a deem H.,
those eyes when he had s.,S
by to Anna. The day had STAR,
much as other days, but at noO. !,
Howell Fad phOned over from A.
lage and had asked Anna II sbo
go auto riding with him that =
noon. And Anna, rather fatts,.1
the invitation, had accepted. ys.
been East TO college for thrs
and was spending his first yns.a
his home town.
| Anna had first met him afte, n,,.-
meeting. He had come in the A,
IDENTIFY in search of amusemep, !,
had asked If he might see her hr'
Edgar, she knew. was waiting =, 4
door, as he had done for the mast !,
years, but she had nodded hapm
ceptance to Ned's invitation j
passed Edgar with the barest sm.
Ned had taken her home in the +,
but they hadn't gone directly 10 y
home.
We'll take a little spin."; he
said. ITS much too early to 20 N,
yet"
And so they had rolled around n
country roads while Ned told her
the life at college, of dances fOOaI
games and weekend house parta
Perhaps you might be able to Co
East to one of the Dances" he had n
marked just before he left her. I
would be pleased TO have you cnI|
you know" Il
She had been. flattered, iminenxj
fiattered, at the implied invitation d
when he suggested that they take d
other ride the pext evening she hi
readily consented.j In the afterno}
she had gone to the orchard to thls|
about 1t all. And then Edgar hi
come. He stood before her as d
sat on the bench.
what time did you get In las
night" he had asked.
Before twelve" she answered
"WhyT
Were you out riding with Ned How
ell all that timer" !
"Yes."
Don't you know" he said. calnly
that Ned has changed q lot since \
went away2"
"Of course, he has; he's a colles
nan now, and he talks OF differs
things, and acts more like an Easter
r."
II didn't mean that" 4
what did you meanT a
81 meant that he fell in with q
wrong kina of men at college; I'D
les used to girls, who drink cocktaH
nd stay out all hours of the night
Anna had idly -plucked an app
lossom which hung near.
I'm sorry you don't like him." d
ad answered. "Tm going riding viii
i'm again tonight"
"Whatw Edgar's face had grow
uddenly white.
"And he's asked me to go to a Cd
zee dance this winter, and TN going
ma had continued.
"I'el sorry" he said. II don't wal
Du to have anything to do with Ne
ut what I ;.sfihf foesu't make any di
,rence, but I'm going to tell you soms
ling, just the same. I'm not much
lying things, but ever since / was
tile kid. I've thought all the world. q
III. And I had hoped that In anoth
year, maybe you would promise 4
AIRY me, and-and that we could IN
my place, and be together all ID
ne
She had looked at him wonderincs'
"Why. Edgar. she said finally. y
yer cared for you like that"
He had searched her eyes for bhd|
and then dropped his head.
No." he had said softly. II dosi|
nj that you do"
That was three years ago. M
well had not come to take her sug
ing; instead, he had gone awiy
visit friend without so much %
rd to her. And Edgar had left two
vs. later for California to tate
arge of a farm his father hsd
light.
Suddenly a foOtstep sounded near
and a figure stood before her.
Anna !" someone said.
She caught her breath sharply
rdly daring to look up. But whn
ally she gained the. courage, ;EdeH
Chilly older, but with the same frsnl
lie eyes. smiled happily at her az
d out his arms. .....
L still care as I did when I was
lie kid" he said softly.
wright, 1917. by the Mcclure Newp
per Syndicate)