Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-09-23

" i"l ~ dpple tree Wnlch hung over
the road, and wiped his brow
Going to rest minute, dad, before
l tackle that mountain" he called
to his father, who waved his hand in
reply, and continued pushing his BIZ
cycle up the ascent.
His sister, Roberta, and their mother
mad gone to their grandfather's farm
IN New Hampshire by train. Donald
and his father were making the trip "a
Ia bike as Don expressed 1t, and en-
joyed 1t immensely.
Don watched his father till he
reached this top, leaned his wheel
against a tree and sat down in
shady spot. He reached for his hat.
PUNK A very large, red apple
dropped into his upturned straw hat.
lie seized 1t and sank his teeth into
the juicy fruit.
Gee he said aloud, "a gift from
the gods Punk Another round,
red apple dropped in the same spot.
"One for pop" he said, storing 1t
away in his pocket.
lie looked up into the tree and en-
c0untered pair of laughing eyes, be-
longing to a girl in a pink Bingham
dress, perched on the highest limb.
Not gift from the gods, but from
a goddess she corrected, laughing.
Donald returned to his natural man
ner. Say, l didn't know girls could
climb trees"
"Oh, you don't?" she queried, mock
ingly We'll, this girl can"
Just then his father hallooed, and
he turned to go reluctantly.
"Good-by, smarty," called the girl.
"Good-by, tomboy," returned the
boy.
He thought the incident closed, but
during his four years Of college the
rosy, smiling face Of the apple Tree
Girl" as he called her, was constantly
/ H. tie background Of his mind.
| 1t was the summer after he gradu-
ated from college when his father in
/ sisted he should take real vacation
for he had worked his way through
! college and his summers had been de-
voted to the making of extra money.
Now he was graduated with honors
and had accepted desirable position.
lie was tentatively turning over In
his mind the possibility of looking up
the white farmhouse on q corner of a
certain New Hampshire road, near
| Which he had rested that August day
four years ago en- route for grandpa's
farm OF course, the charming god
dess of the apple tree must live there.
! Roberta was expecting a girl friend Of
! hers who was finished" at the same
! boarding school as herself and begged
| Donald to stay at home a few weeks
before he went to his grandfather's.
Yes I'll stay" he said ungraciously,
but for PHYS sake stop singing her
praises from morning till night"
"Oh. Don, look! l just got her pic
ture-"
"Maisie," he continued, scornfully,
refusing to look at it, what name
Probably it was just plain Mary be-
fore she fixed it over"
Don" said his mother, laughing,
stop teasing your sister," She took
the photograph. she really has a
very bright, sweet face"
'Maisie, Maisie, clean gone crazy"
sang Don, as he lodged a pillow flung
at him by his irate sister.
Three days later Maisie King had ar
rived and the three met again in their
mothers sitting room.
Gee, mom,. don't like dinner par
ties fix me an alibi. will your" plead
ed Dor.
Il will not" answered his mother
firmly; its getting noticeable, your
lodging about, trying to avoid Miss
King"
"Oh, well, all right; I'll be here"
replied Don shortly,
Turning the corner Of the house. he
came to a sudden halt. A dark-eyed,
dark haired girl was sitting in the ham
mock, an amused smile in her bright
eyes.
The Apple Tree Girl" calculated
Don. He came nearer. who are your
ne asked cautiously.
"Why, I'm Maisie Maisie, clean gone
crazy" she answered demurely.
He stared at her, a quick flush flood
ing his tan.
Say. I'm no end ashamed of myself,
and owe you an apology. How will
you have it,
Not at all" she laughed. 81 know
exactly how you felt Your sister had
your photo ut school and talked Of you
a great deal, and I've really known
you for four years now" she added.
The day seemed singularly bright to
Don. lie seated himself on the ground
near her.
did yOu--did you ever mention our
apple tree acquaintanceY' he asked
awkwardly
No" she blushed, Il neyer-hap-
pened to mention il to anyone"
"Do you still climb apple trees|
leased Don.
"Oh, l can, she flashed back, then
added, but l haven't climbed much