The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-01-16
SHE THREW APPLES
BY c. B. LEWIS.

day We're two hearts not more tina
VT a mile apart, which were prohabl
happier than any other two.
One belonged to Miss Ruth Gordo
4 and the other to Clyde Belmont. Mis-
\ Gordon was teacher in the p,!bll
schools Of the city and had been in
vited down to The CeIiars to pass tn
month Of August with friends.
Mr.. Belmont was Il junior partner
+ In department store and had three
weeks in which to take needed vaca
ton.
At nine o'clock on that morning men
toned Mr.. Belmont sat on the vcrand
Of manor house belonging to {:
friend and smoked Il good cigar and
heard the robins and burbirds singing
This was novelty to him.
Miss Ruth wasn't on any veranda,
She was out in the orchard instead
9 wandering over the grass. which had
been dewy three or four hours before.
She felt like young colt. and she al
most made up her mind to climb one
of the apple trees. She was visiting
her friend, Jane Craven. 1t was Jane
who led her into trouble. She picked
( mp apples and began to throw them at
a tree and, Of course. Ruth followed
the example. They We're in part of
the orchard bordering the highway,
and such apples as missed the tree at
which they were thrown fell into the
highway. ..
There were plenty of apples on the
ground, for the worm had been getting
il his work during the hot days, and
1t was great fun. The girls were still
throwing when young man suddenly
appeared before them, coming from
the highway. He held his punched
handkerchief to his left eye ami there
was a pretty fierce scowl on his face.
Neither girl had ever seen him, and
they stood with apples in their hands
to see what errand he had come on.
"A few minutes before this episode
Mr.. Belmont had finished smoking his
cigar. He did not feel like walking.
but when the auto came around and
the chauffeur said he was going to the
village, four miles away, the Junior
partner made up his mind all at once
hat he would go along. and he took Il
seat in an easy and contented manner.
he was enjoying the scenery and try
ms to drive the price of fall hats out
VI his mind, when bird came sailing !
nut Of a tree at his face. That is, he |
bought it was a, bird, but when it |
struck him in the left eye and fell ut |
lis feet, he saw it was an apple--not
yellow harvest apple good to cat at
~ rYpf the day. but a dried-up,
reen 81 Ncimen. 1t was solid. though,
nd he felt that eye swelling in less
han n minute. II had been deliber-
tely thrown at him. .
Mr.. Belmont wanted to know who |
nd thrown that apple, and the why's |
nd wherefore Of it. He lcaped from
he auto and penetrated some bushes.
nd 10, he stood before two goOd-look
ng young ladies'. where he had eX-
'ected to find a farmland or two or
hree bad boys. He was expected to |
ny something. and. after recovering |
rom his surprise. ne stammered out:
4 "Sone-some one threw an apple, !
nd it hit me in the eye!"
''Yes, we were throwing apples" re- !
,lied Miss Ruth. who stood nearest |
lin. II threw one with all my might. |
t missed the tree and struck out, and |
am very, very sorry"
But he shouldn't have been passing |
list at that moment" protested the
'ther girl. in rather impudent tones.
Perhaps not" said Mr.. Belmont. be-
ne little indignant.
s"Oh. yes, you should" answered
Hiss Ruth. "You had Il right on the
Dad, of course. am afraid we were
cry careless. Won't you come and
ave the eye treated?"
}.I thank you, but-but-"
And Mr.. Belmont got out of the fix
y walking back to the road and ask
ng the chauffeur to take him back to
lis friends house, where he found
rentment. That eye turned black and
'llle, and for the next ten days Mr..
Belmont had something new to care
or. Then he rode out, and who .:.:s;;:I!
le meet but the two girls irving in
n opposite direction in their auto.
Hiss Ruth looked her sympathy. She
sked half dozen questions about
hat eye, and vowed that she could
ever forgive herself. Why couldn't
lie apple have struck the chauffeur
instead? There was Il little more talk
nd then they drove on.
Once more before each one returned
. the city the junior partner and the
choOl teacher met. and affairs pro-
ressed well with them. The black and
lue left that eye. and it was as good
,oking an eye as the other. and both
yes could see that Miss Ruth Gordon
adj Il very pleasant personality. 1t
'asnt three months later, and after
everal calls at Ruth's house. that the
lf1ior partner made bold to say:
Ruth. you extended your sympathy
,r my black eye which you created.
hut wasn't all the havoc you did that
nv, however, and I AIN going to ask
Du for sympathy for my wounded
"a ri -