Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-10-25
CHERRY saw LIGHT
After Clearing Up Many Folks
Troubles.
BY LOUISE MERRlFIELD.

ut doesn't seem fair for me to take
the money and leave you here on this
old good-fornothing farm, Cherry;
but | want to go 30, you don't know
how much I want to go. 1t means
everything to me, you know that,
don't you. Cherryr'
"Of course do, you goose" Cherry
said happily, Swimming the bubbling
rosy froth of her currant Jelly that
was cooking away on the stove.
And you mustn't stop to worry one
bit over 1t, pet. Take the money and
go on. Climb the path of stars and
win out. I never wanted stars, any
way I'd good deal rather stay here
and fuss over my own stars in the
garden. Think you can start next
week."
Petunia sat on the high wood box
by the west window, and swung her
heel Idly. hugqng one Knee. The
summer wind. sweet with fragrance
Of wild clover and buokwheat, bent
the tan grass in waves like the sea.
with cloud shadows drifting over
head. Outside the window stood the
old we'll. with its pretty pagoda-
shaped roof and the wild cucumber
vines over all.
Around the corner Of the old wood
shed stalked Mahomet, the proud old
Rhode Island red rooster. On the
hillside across the brook rambled the
grazing cows, three OF them, and
halfgrown heifer she had raised her
self.
It was all mighty dear to her.
Cherry and she had both sent up their
first protesting cry in the little front
bedroom with the cherry trees out
side. Cherry had come in July.
Sometimes she would laugh over their
names when there was still the little
fragile mother sitting on the side
porch.
Seems like you just tried to hunt
up funny names for US girls, mother"
Il named you for the things loved
best. dearie, It sort of comforted
me-"
And that would stop argument, for
the life at the farm had not been
productive of romance, and Cherry
felt that any little CLEAN her mother
or Pet cherished should be respected.
After her mothers death had come
the problem Of dividing up. She was
thirty-four, Pet only twenty-five.
She talked 1t over with herself and
then asked John his opinion. The
girls had been asking John his opin-
ion for years on all weighty matters.
Just half mile down the road was
Johns blacksmith shop, and across
the road from II the gray house
where he had lived alone for ten
years. Cherry had slipped on her
cape and walked down the road to
ask John. and, after an hours talk,
had returned, much encouraged
THE only safe way, Cherry, is to
let hire choose her own road to happi
nett. The minute you try to tell
any enc how to be happy, you miss
fire. It's a little path we have to
find for ourselves. How much money
is there?"
About two thousand"
We'll, the farm won't bring any
more than that. I'd give Pet the
cash for her share. and keep the
farm for mine"
That's what wanted to do, John"
said Cherry. her cheek flushing But
It seemed selfish. do love the old
place So"
Another thing" John went on,
leaving his anvil and freshly shaped
shoe cooling, while he stood beside
her at the wide arching front OF the
shop, when the folks we're alive,
wanted TO get away from here Didn't
know that, did your Well, did
They knew It, too. was about sew.
enteen. And when ! told dad he
didn't say much He took me out in
the shop here. and he trimmed me up
good and plenty. That was my last
whipping. Yes, was big enough to
lick him, but that was all right. SO
! didn't go globe trotting Cherry
and 1t always left sort of vacant
place inside Of me, sort of gone feel
ing in my heart, like you get In the
pit of your stomach when it's dinner
time I'd let Pet go II was you"
81 will. John, bless her. Mother'd
say 30, too"
John glanced sideways at her tear.
filled, happy gray eyes, and smiled
quizzically.
II guess she would. She didn't
have any better sense than you and
me, Cherry, about such things. Your
father'd have something to remark.
though, wouldn't her"
Then they had both laughed, re
membering Deacon Wilson and his
stolid orthodoxy in even home rela,
tons. A man or woman was born IN
a sort OF life bondage to the acres OF
their forefathers, he had preached;
but Cherry put the thought away
from her. He had been able TO hold
down her mother for life and choke
out every little rosy flicker OF 70
nance in her, and now Cherry was
conscious Of feeling Of relief that
he was resting peacefully over in the
old burial ground on the hill and
beyond the power to stop Pets 20
ing forth to find her rainbows end.
What are you figuring TO do
specially, dearie7" she asked now,
coming across to the window.
Pet pushed back her curly brown
hair restlessiy.
see things. don't you understand
Cherry? I'm sick and tired of look,
ing at these hills forever"
You could go TO Europe on two
thousand and still have a lot left