The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1919-12-19
MAKE BELIEVE
BY ELIZABETH LYONS.
eeeApeeee eeepAeeeee

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 in the doorway. The girl
had brilliant dark eyes and fluffy black
hair that wisped from under a dainty
white cap. The short sleeves of a
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 a repetition of the silvery call, she
cupped her hands into trumpet and
called clearly an answering halloo.
The whistle sounded nearer now and
overthe hedges approached the bowed
figure of the girls father. She saw
him now as he came into the lane, his
gnsrled 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 a 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"
slan OH w
announced supper. The table was
daintily laid in spite of the heavy crock
cry. and the old man enjoyed her com
panionship 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 that7"
A soft pad-padding on the crispy
leaves came to the mans ears.
"Well, reckon 1t may be bear or
it may be deer. You didn't think
It was"
at is, it Is! I'm sure it isl Oh,
dad I knew he'd come! Oh!
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 hack of the collar
were 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
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.
ooh, Rex, you've been with him all
during these two long years 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 l wouldn't be-
lieve.'
Hank 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 a week ago and came up here to
the mountain just as fast as I could"
ooh, David 10 think" murmured
Mollie, ''how long I've made believe"
Copyright, 1919 Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate)