The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-03-06
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|. APPLE BLOSSOMS =
BY EARL READ sILVERs.
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W "a "a g "a "a IA "a u u n Nh w
The scent of apple blossoms per-
vaded the orchard, bringing to Anna
Smith poignant memories of a 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, it
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 a tall, outstanding
young man, with light, curly hair which
invited stray fingers, and blue eyes
which looked at one with a 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 if she would
go auto riding with him that after
noon. And Anna, rather f1attered 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
door, as he had done for the past two
years, but she had nodded a 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 20 her
/ home.
"We1l take a 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. 81
would be pleased to have you come,
you know"
She had been fiattered, immensely
flattered, at the implied invitation, and
when he suggested that they take an
other ride the next evening, she had
Readily consented. In the afternoon
she had 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
| nightP he had asked.
Before twelve" she answered.
"Why?"
'Were you out riding with Ned How
ell all that timer"
"Yes."
"Don't you know" he said, calmly,
shat Ned has changed a lot since he
went away?"
"Of course, he has; he's a college
3
things, and acts more like an Eastern
err"
81 didn't mean that"
"What did you meanT
ST 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 had idly plucked an apple
blossom which hung near.
I'm sorry you don't like him." she
had answered. ''Pm 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.
I'm sorry" he said. 81 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 i was q
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 wonderingly
"Why, Edgar" she said finally. q
never cared for you like that"
He had searched her eyes for brief
moment, and then dropped his head
NO." he had said softly, II don't
think that you do"
That was three years ago. Ned
Howell had not come to take her auto
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 a farm his father had
bought.
, Suddenly a footstep sounded near
/ by and a figure stood before her.
"Anna I" someone said.
She caught her breath sharply
hardly daring to look up. But when
finally she gained the courage, Edgar
slightly older, but with the same franz