The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-05-25
q Observation-Disclosures
{. APPLE BLOSSOMS Il
n BY EARL READ sILvERa. n
hnMR ~ u p 80 81 D


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. 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 mt one with q fearless
frnnkncss 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 of
much as other days, but at noon Ned
Howell had phoned over from the vii
lage and had asked Anna II she would
go auto riding with him that after
noon. And Anna, rather hattered 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
,s,oo.;,,, H. had onp,a in tho out.
IDENTIFY in search of amusement, and
had asked II 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-
eeptnnce 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.
oven take little spin." he had
said. ats much too early to go home
yet"
And so they had rolled around tho
country roads while Ned told her Of
the life Mt 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. Il
would be pleased to have you come.
you know"
She had been flattered, Immensely
flattered, ut the implied Invitation, and
when he suggested that they take an
other ride the next evening, she had
sendily consented. In the afternoon
she hnd gone to, the orchard to think
about it all. And then Edgar had
come. He stood before her as she
sat on the bench.
"What time did you get in last
nIght?" he had asked.
Before twelve" she answered.
"whyf"
"were you out riding with Ned How
ell all that timer"
"Yes."
"Don't you know" he said, calmly,
shat Ned has changed lot since he
went away?"
"Of course, he has; he's a college
man now. and he talks Of different
things, and acts more like an Eastern.
err"
II didn't mean that"
"What did you mean7"
II meant that he fell in with the
wrong kind Of men at college; that
he's used to girls who drink cocktails
and stay out all hours Of the night"
Anna hnd idly plucked an apple
blossom which hung near.
"Tm sorry you don't like him." she
had answered. "1'm going riding with
him again tonight"
"whatI" Edgar's face had grown
suddenly white.
"And he's asked me to go to col
lege dance this winter, and I'm going"
Anna had continued.
"Tm sorry" he said. II don't want
you to have anything to do with Ned.
But what want doesn't make any DIFF
ference. but I'm going to tell you some
thing, Just the same. I'm not much at
saying things. but ever since was
little kid. I've thought all the world Of
you. And had hoped that in anOth-
er year, maybe you would promise to
marry me, and-and that we could live
on my place, and be together all the
time"
She had looked at him wonderingiy.
"Why, Edgar" she said finally. II
never cared for you like that"
He had searched her eyes for a brief
moment, and then dropped his head.
mo" he had said softly, II don't
think that you do"
That was three years ago. Ned
Howell had nOt rome IN taka hor outn
riding; instead, he had gone away
to visit friend without so much as a
word to her. And Edgar had left two
days later for California to take
charge of farm his father had
bought.
Suddenly footstep sounded near
by and figure stood before her.
"Anna |" someone said