The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-11-12

The sun was pouring streams Of
light on the little gray cottage Oh 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 In the doorway. The girl
had brilliant dark eyes and FUZZY black
hair that wisped from under a dainty
white cap. The short sleeves OF q
bright Bingham revealed the delicate
tan of her well-formed 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 repetition of the silvery call, she
cupped her hands into a 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
tim 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 mo-"
Then in few minutes she cheerily
announced supper. The table was
daintily laid I'm 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 that?"
A soft pad-padding on the crispy
leaves came TO the mans ears.
"Well. / reckon 1t may be bear or
II may be a deer. You didn't think
Il was
ut Is. 1t is I'm sure II is Oh,
dadl / knew he'd comet OH"
A few seconds proved her to be
right. From the woods near by bound
ed a 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
ID. b. s. so plain on his collar. He
can't be far of. And see; what il
this?"
Scratched on the back Of the collar
were the words. "Mollie, I've come"
Samuel Boden's voice shook With emo
ton.
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. silvery halo broke the still
ness; 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.
'Oh. 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
l 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 I'm 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, II landed here
just week ago and came up here to
the mountain just as fast as I could"
"Oh, David. to think" murmured
Mollie. ''how long I've made believe"
Copyright. 1872 Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate.)