The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1919-12-04
MAKE BELIEVE
By ELIZABETH LYONS.


The sun was pouring streams Of
light on the little gray cottage on the
highlands, the sunshine of golden Au-
gust. Through the giant elms sifted
the yellow beams, making dancing
checkers on the weather-beaten roof
In answer to familiar whistle,
which echoed through the valley, the
sole occupant of the house suddenly
appeared ia the doorway. The girl
had brilliant dark eyes and fluffy black
hair that wisped from under dainty
white cap. The short sleeves of
bright gingham revealed the delicate
tan OF her well-f0rmed arms. Stand
Ing behind the pink ramblerS on the
porch, she reminded one Of an ideal
peasant girl, capable and charming.
She paused; then without waiting
for a repetition Of the silvery call, she
cupped her hands into trumpet and
called clearly an answering hallOo.
The whistle sounded nearer now and
over the hedges approached the bowed
figure OF the girls father. She saw
lin now as he came into the lane, his
gnarled hands clutching two milk
pals. Soon he was within talking dis
lance, and she turned to hold the door
for him and his heavy burden.
"Well, MOllie, it's hard time for
both of us. We haven't given up yet,
have we, little girl?" he added, smiling
into her saddened face.
she turned away with low no"
Then in few minutes she cheerlly
announced supper. The table was
daintily laid in spite of the heavy crock
cry, and the old man enjoyed her COM
partnership though few words were
spoken.
The simple repast over, Samuel Bo-
den took his pipe, and Mollie took her
knitting to the stoOp near the well.
The sun was now sinking behind Cher
ry mountain and the two silently
watched the gradual changing OF the
rose and yellow shadings in the heav-
ems, and on Echo lake, in the valley.
Mollie's fingers flew swiftly endeavor-
ing to hide her emotions, though with
little success.
She stopped knitting. She clasped
her fathers hand.
"What was thatT
soft pad-padding on the crispy
leaves came TO the mans ears.
"Well, reckon it may be a bear or
II may be q deer. You didn't think
II was"
at is, it is! I'm sure IL is Oh,
dad! I knew he'd come OH" y
A few seconds proved her to be
right From the woods near by bound
ed handsome Airedale.
REX" she called softly REX.
Rex" she whispered, throwing her
arms around the painting dog.
She raised her tear.dimmed eyes TO
her father.
"Oh, dad. knew he'd come. Look
d. B. s. so plain on his collar. He
can't be far off. And see what is
this?"
Scratched on the back Of the collar
were the words "Mollie, I've come"
Samuel Boden's voice shook with emo
tlon.
well, little Moll, you won't have to
make believe with me any longer"
The old man turned and limped
slowly houseward. The girl rose. A
long, silvsry halo broke the still
ness; a distant whistle answered from
the lodges. She sank back again on
the stoop and turned her attention to
the messenger at her feet. As she
patted his soft back her fingers out
lined the service and wound stripes
which had been sheared on his coat.
ooh, Rex, you've been with him all
during these two long years-all the
| time-and I've been waiting, waiting.
But now he's coming back to me. And
thought he was never to return.
They told me so, but / wouldn't be-
| lieve."
Hark A twig snapped in the path
way and a tall, stalwart form emerged
from the wooded depths. A moment
and she was held in a close embrace.
"Mollie, darling; Mollie-"
Two hours later inside the little cot
tage David told of the two years of
separation, Mollie nesting close In
adoring silence.
"And" he concluded, 81 landed here
just week ago and came up here to
the mountain just as fast as could"
"Oh, David, to think" murmured
Mollie, "how long I've made believe"
| Copyright. 1919, Mcclure Newspaper Syn
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