The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-09-15
n % "a q q "a p "a p n . p HR|I
: APPLE BLOSSOMS :.
BY EARL READ slLvERs.

said his last good-by.
She and Edgar had grown up to-
gether. Living on adjacent farms, 1t
had only been natural that Edgar
should drop over of an evening to SIT
on the broad porch of the Smith resi-
dence.
The Gillian farm was one OF the
most prosperous in that section OF the
state; the Gillams themselves were
all that could be desired socially, and
Edgar, as the only son and heir, was
much sought after by the girls of the
village. He was tall, outstanding
young man, with light, curly hair which
invited stray fingers, and blue eyes
which looked at one with fearless
frankness which was almost discon-
certing.
But there had been deep hurt in |
those eyes when he had said good
by to Anna. The day had started off
much as other days, but at noon Ned
Howell had phoned over from the vii
lage and had asked Anna If she would
go auto riding with him that after
noon. And Anna, rather flattered by
the invitation, had accepted. Ned had
been East to college for three years
and was spending his first vacation IN
his home town.
Anna had first met him after prayer
meeting. He had come in the car evil
IDENTIFY in search of amusement, ana
had asked if he might see her home.
Edgar, she knew, was waiting at the
door, as he had done for the past two
years, but she had nodded happy ac-
ceptance to Ned's invitation, and
passed Edgar with the barest smile.
Ned had taken her home in the car,
but they hadn't gone directly to her
home.
"Well take little spin," he had
said. tits much too early to go home
yet"
And so they had rolled around the
country roads while Ned told her OF
the life at college, of dances, football
games and weekend house parties.
"Perhaps you might be able to come
East to one of the Dances" he had re-
marked just before he left her. i
would be pleased to have you come
! you know"
| She had been fattered immensely
f1attered, at the implied invitation, anc
u when he suggested that they take an
q other ride the next evening, she hat
i readily consented. In the Afternoon
8 she had gone to the orchard to thint
about it all. And then Edgar hat
!. come. He stood before her as sh'
9 sat on the bench.
Il "What time did you get IN las
4 4 al night FIT ~ he-ffsda asked.
Ii "Before twelve" she answered
e "Why?"
"Were you out riding with Ned Ho.
W ell all that tine2"
IS eyes,
"Dont you know" he said, calml!
n 'that Ned has changed lot since b
n went away?"
"a "Of course, he has; he's colleg
70 man now, and he talks of differer
things, and acts more like an Eastern
IL er."
"a II didn't mean that"
n. "What did you meanT"
81 meant that he fell In with tn
wrong kind of men at college; thf
. he's used to girls who drink cocktHi
~ aud stay out all hours of the night.
Anna had idly plucked an app
- blossom which hung near.
N "Pm sorry you don't like him." 81
had answered. "I'm going riding wit
y him again tonight"
!. "Whatw Edgar's face had grow
:. suddenly white.
"And he's asked me to go to &C
:. lege dance this winter, and I'm going
Anna had continued.
r "Tm sorry" he said. II don't wal
r. you to have anything to do with Ne
20 But what want doesn't make any oil
ference, but I'm going to tell you som
a thing, just the same. I'm not much
n saying things, but ever since was
- little kid, I've thought all the world
- you. And I had hoped that in anot
" er year, maybe you would promise
"a marry me, and-and that we could Ii
on my place, and be together all t
q time"
=. She had looked at him wondering
~ "Why, Edgar" she said finally.
never cared for you like that"
He had searched her eyes for brl
l. moment, and then dropped his head.
W NO." he had said softly, u dol
think that you do"
: That was three years ago. y
~ Howell had not come to take her al
~ riding; instead, he had gone aW
NJ to visit friend without SC much as
word to her. And Edgar had left t
ng days later for California to ia
tn charge of farm his father II
:! bought.
ne Suddenly a footstep sounded mel
hi. by and figure stood before her.
In "Anna |" someone said.
ln- She caught her breath sharp
hardly daring to look up. But wh
all finally she gained the courage, Edg
mt slightly older, but with the same fra
RS blue eyes, smiled happily at her a
up held out his armA
- at s+;iI ,,ora 40 did when / was