Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-25
DAILY NOVELETTE,
M4KE.BELIEVE
BY Elizabeth Lyons
TNHE sin was pouring streams of light

TNHB sun was pouring streams of light
= on the little gray cottage on the high =
lands. the sunshine of golden August.
Through the giant elms sifted the vel
low beams, making dancing checkers on
the weather beaten roof.
In answer to a familiar whistle. which
echoed through the valley, the sole
occupant Of the house suddenly ap-
peared in the doorway. The girl had
brilliant dark eyes and fluffy black hair
that wisped from under dainty white
cap. The short sleeves of a bright
gingham revealed the delicate tan Of
her we'll formed arms. Standing be-
hind 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 trumpet and
called clearly an answering haDOo. The
whistle sounded nearer now. and over
the hedges approached the bowed figure
Of the girls father. She saw him now
as he came into the lane. his gnarled
hands clutching two milk pals. Soon
he was within talking distance, and she
turned to hold the door for him and
his heavy burden.
well. Mollie, it's a hard time for
both of us. We haven 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 cheerily
.,l1
daintily laid in spite of the heavy
crockery, and the old man enjoyed her
companionshp. though few words were
spoken.
The simple repast over. Samuel Boden
took his pipe and Mollie took her knit
ting TO the stoop near the we'll The
sun was now sinking behind Cherry
Mountain. and the two silently watched
the gradual changing of the rose and
yellow shading in the heavens and on
Echo lake. in the valley. Mollie'S fin
gers few swiftly. endeavoring 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, I reckon it may be bear, or
it may be deer You didn't think it
1T is. it is. I'm sure it is Oh. dad
! knew he'd come! Oh. -
4 few seconds proved her TO be right.
From the woods nearby bounded
handsome Airedale.
Rex she called softly. Rex.
ha 1..h;
arms around the painting dog.
She raised her tear dimmed eyes to
her father.
ooh, dad, l knew he'd come Look
ID. 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
We're the words. "Mollie. I've come"
Samuel Boden's voice shook with emo
ton.
"Well, little Mol. you won t have to
make believe with me any longer"
The old man turned and limped slow
ly houseward. The girl rose. A long
silvery halloo broke the stiffness; dis
tant whistle answered from the lodges.
She sank back again on the stoop and
luTueu heE ulltulIOu 10 tHe messenger
at her feet. As she patted his soft back
her fingers outlined 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
thought he was never to return. They
told me 50, but I wouldn't believe"
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 ador
ing silence.
And" he concluded. "I landed here
just week ago and came up here to
the mountain just as fast as l could" "
''Oh. David, TO think murmured
Mollie, how long I've made believe -
The next complete novelette-HOuse
Hunting.