The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-05
t6t "a m IN ~ ~ N ~ IN m IN Ass,l
n :. APPLE BLOSSOMS =
BY EARL READ sILvERs.

The scent of apple blossoms per
vaded the orchard, bringing to Anna
Smith poignant memories of late
afternoon three years ago when, In
that very orchard, Edgar Gillian had
said his last good-by.
She and Edgar had grown up to.
gether. Living on adjacent farms, IL
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 a 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 viii
lage and had asked Anna IL she would
60 auto riding with him that after
noon. And Anna. rather fiattered 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, and
had asked If he might see her home.
Edgar, she knew, was waiting at the
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.
sven take little spin" he had
said. IT'S 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. II
would be pleased to have you come,
you know"
She had been fattered, immensely |
battered, at the implied invitation, and
when he suggested that they take an
readily consented. In the afternoon
the had gone to the orchard TO think
lbout it all. And then Edgar had
'ome. He stood before her as she
at on the bench.
"What time did you get in last
light?" he had asked.
Before twelve" she answered.
'Why?"
'Were you out riding with Ned How
II all that timer"
"Yes."
Don't you know" he said, calmly,
that Ned has changed lot since he
vent awayW
"Of course, he has; he's a college
IAN now, and he talks of different
hings, and acts more like an Eastern
r."
II didn't mean that"
"What did you nean?"
II meant that he fell In with the
-rong kind of men at college; that
e's used to girls who drink cocktails
nd stay out all hours of the night"
Anna had idly plucked an apple
ossom which hung near.
I'm sorry you don't like him." she
nd answered I'm going riding with
I'm again tonight"
WHAT Edgar's face had grown
white.
"And he's asked me to go to col
ge dance this winter, and I'm going"
ma had continued.
'Tm sorry" he said. 1T don't want
W TO have anything to do with Ned.
Mt what want doesn't make any diff
renee. but I'm going to tell you some
ing. just the same. I'm not much at
wing things, but ever since | was a
tie kid. I've thought all the world of
u. And l had hoped that in anoth-
year, maybe you would promise TO
AIRY me. and-and that we could live