Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1921-06-03
PROCRASTlNAToR
BY ELIZABETH a. oRgGMs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~~~~s~~se~~sss1
20 By Mcclure Newspaper syaAisassS
They were gay little company that
descended the steps Of Hill Crest
Farm to the waiting hay rack. and
for the twentieth time that morning
Mariana wished she had been ready.
But IL was always this way. Some
how Mariana could never manage 70
he quite on time. and had long ago
been affectlonately dubbed BY her
friends the REORGANIZATION"
Nevertheless. Mariana was 4 gen.
eral favorite. and II was with genuine
regret that the little party Of pleas
ure seekers set forth without her that
bright morning.
Couldn't you come later. Marianar
coaxed Bettina. lettering behind the
others.
Mariana shook her head. ~ can't"
she sighed. "rve got all my packing
to do"
Couldn't ! help you tonightr' gen.
erously proffered Bettina.
Mariana dimpled. Thanks. Betty"
she smiled. you're dear: but can't
10. really"
"Oh. come along. Betty" called Pol
ly from the hay rack. shell come at
the eleventh hour. ssme's she always
does!"
Slowly Mariana went back to the
neglected packing. Tomorrow they
were all going home. "All" meant
Mariana's i've girl friends. Miss Kent
who chaperoned the little party. and
Marisns.
Leaving her unfinished packing she
donned the pretty white dress thrown
over a chair. Her vivid irnagination
! pictured the delighted surprise OF her
friends when she should join them and
yes. Il must be admitted. the whole
Of the vision was giorifed by the treul-
ulous hope that she might see "him."
A radiant vision was Mariana that
morning. and psssersby turned to look
admirinaly at the trim, whitehead lit
tie ngure tripping gaily along the
dusty roadside.
But as the sun rose higher and the
heat increased Mariana's enthusiasm
waned with her tagging feet.
How beautiful II was on: here
though Somewhere In the green
branches overhead bird carolied JOY
ously and In the distance came faint
sounds Of the haymakers. Some
where, too. In this enchanted land
lived The Man.
Oh, II was shameful that she should
think of him sol But since that morn
ing when she had CHANGED TO be At
her window In the early dawn and
caught a glimpse Of him carrying .
dew-wst burden OF lettuce and cucum-
bersA to the farmhouse door below she
had been unable to put the strong.
sunburned face aud staiwart form
quite out Of mind.
Il And this was her last day Of free
dom. Her chance OF knowing him
ended today Tomorrow meant noisy
smoky Brewster and-Aunt Amelia.
Mariana sighed dIsmally. However
being a CHEEKY little person. her gloom
} soon vanished as she caught glimpse
Of the big. ripe berries near by.
''Blueberries she exclaimed. rising
and beginning to gather the tempting
fruit. Presently a glance over the
stone wall revealed more berries be
yond In the pasture.
Laughing softly. Mariana scaled ths
wall with pretty grace.
"Oh. deari" sighed Mariana. bel
eyes following wistfully the distant
. shadows of froest trees. II only shs
|. might rest In those cool woods awhile
YEARLY she plodded on under thu
|. MONDAY sun, reaching at last the wei
: come shadows Of the wood. Throw
: ing herself down upon the sweet pint
needles. she drew deep breaths OF tn
: pine-scented air. Presently her tires
eyelids dropped lower and lower ami
: she slept.
Q Mariana sat up and rubbed her syea
= Ii was sunset. The prospect Of nigh
b oyertaking her In q strange wood wa
a not at all pleasant; besides. wha
n would Miss Kent think3
r Mariana rose and hurriedly rstracs
D. her steps through the forest gloon
Pau5~b sSa'~s
by. dimly outlined In the gathsrin
shadows, doomed the huge black bod
m of an animal.
II Breathlessiy she stared back Int
10 the cleaning eyes regarding her. The
h shove the beating Of hsr heart cam
ie the sound Of q merry whistle fro'
IT the pasture.
10 sobbing with relief. Mariana Dc
e toward the welcome tones. Hurryin
n. feet crashed through the undsrbrus
he behind her. briars caught N
scratched her. but she sped blind
L on. When the hot. painting brsati
10 were close beside her. mans voi'
~ called suddenly. thsn-oblivion.
When Mariana opened her eyes 81
!" looked into the face Of The Man.
!, The bear. has-has he gonsf q
" stammered, attempting to rise.
The Man threw away the rsmainii
water that had not been used ON MAJ
A.. ana's head.
"You mean Rover. there. reckon