The Press., 1918-02-07

had moved about and made q show of stripping the long crisp ears of corn, with eyes only for Airline Woolson. Three times she had brought to view red ear and had been speedily captured by her male companion. Then. with pain and longing Ned had seen kiss stolen from her damasi cheek.
 Just now he was passing her. Tho seat beside her was vacant. She dart ed bright glance as this shy, hut de serving suitOr at a distance. She drew aside the skirt of her tasteful merino dress invitingly, making room for him.
 ''Oh, thank you '" he almost gasped, and amid his confusion upset the high basket between them. Then he ner- vOusly set at work at the basket to his left, so dazed, yet happy, that he was all at sea.
 'Why. you are helping the next girl and she has partner" cried Airline, with sweet trilling laugh. '.This is your husting basket. have found three red ears already" | "T-I wish they were all red ears,'' stammered Ned. and then at the play ful, yet seemingly childing glance of Ar4 line he dropped his eyes. abashed. ShG forgave him by sitting up close to him, teasing curl about the corners of her merry lips.
 "I-I am going to the dance up at Bartley's Saturday evening"" he hap pened to say, and halted there.
 ''I hope you will have a splendid time" said Airline.
 "'If only had company" he began. and hIushod like a school hoy, and felt the ordeal of the moment too much for him. 'Therc is your sister," suggested. Airline heartlessly. T don't know bet ter company anywhere than Edna. Oh. dcar.''
 "A red ear" rang out an excited chorus.
 Catch her, quick, Dawson!" shout ed his neighbor. ''She runs like fawn."
 This time that was just what Airline did. She was out of sight by the time Ned had crossed the threshold of the big double barn doors.
 "Coo-ee!" rang out her clear. tanta- IIzing tones from covert. Then the flashing edge of her dress guided him to a thicket. Thence sight of twin- kling, agGravating feet led him to where heap of hay shut her out. Round and round the yard, with all It's numerous hiding places, he pur- sued, to find no further trace of her.
 He came back to the barn and un- obtrusively regained his seat. Amid the dancing that had now begun he was unnotlced He looked eagerly, but yalnIy for Airline. Ills heart sank. "She did not want me to kiss her. but | she let the others Y he choked Up. | Then his eye lit upon the red ear at his feet that Airline had dropped In her flight. He darted searching glance all about. No one was looking. Ned seized the precious reminder of bright smiles and dancing eyes, thrust It guIltily into hIs bosom, arose, went outside and started drearily for home with untitled sob.
 1 "It's strange, APlIne," said Ned's sis l ter confldentially. meeting her friend on the street a few days later, ''but Ned is acting peculiarly. Mother says he is in love. If he Is, he keeps it close to himself, but mother found some kernels of red corn in his bed. We'll, watched, and what do you think? Ned puts an ear of red corn under his pillow every night. saw. him take 1t off from the bureau last night and kiss it." Airline looked sedate, almost solemn.
 "Yes," she murmured, "hc must have met some girl at the hlshing bee who struck his fancy" l "But 1t don't seem to make him very 1 happy. Ned mopes around evenings, don't go anywhere and has written to friend in the city to find him q po- sItion.p "Oh, he mustn't leave. Edna," cried ! Airline, and then checked herself. "I-, mean he shouldn't" corrected Ar line, blushing furiously. "He Is just the incest young man in town."
 Then Airline hurried away uncere- monlously. and turning a corner, and out of sight of Edna, she brushed her eyes SuSplclOuSly.
 "Poor fellow! and it is frivolous, heartIess me who has done all this wicked harm" she ckoked up. "Oh, dear, and how can I mend it?" Airline tried to, at any rate. She made it a point to stroll about the streets where there was q chance of meeting Ned. Once she saw him a square distance, coming her way, and set her face to look it's prcttiest and most winning, but evidently Ned had noticed her and turned into side lane.
 q have broken his heart and he despiseS me-" walled the unhappy Airline. ..
 Two days after that Airline saw Ned, with bowed head and wretched mien, pass the house. He disappeared where :. stretch nf woods hogan. She fol- lowed him.
 Ned came to fallen tree, took out a pocket knife and began digging in the soft, yielding earth beside it. His lips were set grimly. His face was a map of blank despair. He took from his bosom the red ear of corn.
 "The funeral of all my hopes," he mourned, and placed the red ear in the hole he had dug.
 Then he lifted the prized token of the husking bee to his lips. Sadly but reyerently, he held 1t there for { moment. He closed his eyes in mourn. ful thought.
 And all the time Airline was in sight and hearing. She had stolen after him into the wood, troubled with mafdenly. scruples, tempered, however, with a sense of culpability that stirred her heart to kinder eGhotions. Then. not live feet away from Ned, she peered through screen of vines, wondering curious, interested, and finally her. soul was stirred to the depths at what she observed.