The L'Anse sentinel., 1921-05-13
PROCRASTINATOR
BY ELIzAsErH 4. GREENE.

| t0 py mcclure Newspaper Syndicate)
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 1t was always this way, Some
how Mariana could never manage to
be quite on time. and had long ago
been affectionately dubbed by her
friends the "Procrastinator."
Nevertheless, Mariana was gen.
! eral favorite, and 1t was with genuine
regret that the little party of pleas
ure seekers set forth without her that
bright morning.
Couldn't you come later, Mariana? 2"
coaxed Bettina, lettering behind the
others.
Mariana shook her head. II can't.
she sighed. "Tye got all my packing
to do"
Couldn't help you tonight?" gen.
erously proffered Bettina.
Mariana dimpled. Thanks Betty"
she smiled. you're II dear; but can't
go, really"
"Oh, come along, Betty" called Pol
ly from the hay rack. "She'll come at
the eleventh hour, same's she always
does!"
Slowly Mariana went back to the
neglected packing. Tomorrow they
were all going home. "All' meant
Mariana's five girl friends, Miss Kent
who chaperoned the little party, and
Mariana.
Leaving her unfinished packing she
dOnned the pretty white dress thrown
over chair. Her vivid imagination
pictured the delighted surprise of her
friends when she should join them and
Yes, 1t must be admitted, the whole
Of the vision was gloriied by the trem-
ulous hope that she might see him."
radiant vision was Mariana that
morning. and passersby turned to look
admiringly at the trim. white-clad lit
tie figure 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 1t was out here
though! Somewhere in the green
branches overhead bird carolled JOY
ously and In the distance came faint
sounds of the haymakers. Some
where, too. in this enchanted land
lived The Man.
Oh, 1t was shameful that she should
think of him so But since that morn
ing when she had chanced to be at
her window In the early dawn and
caught glimpse of him carrying a
dew-wet burden Of lettuce and cucum-
bers to the farmhouse door below she
had been unable to put the strong.
sunburned face and stalwart form
quite out of mind.
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 CHEEKY little person, her gloom
soon vanished as she caught a glimpse
OF the big, ripe berries near by.
"Blueberries!" she exclaimed, rising
and beginning to gather the tempting
fruit Presently glance over. the
stone wall revealed more berries be-
.gond In the pasture.
Laughing softly, Mariana scaled the
wal! with pretty grace.
"Oh. dear" sighed Mariana, her
eyes following wistfully the distant
shadows of froest trees. II only she
might rest in those cool woods awhile
YEARLY she plodded on under the
MONDAY sum-. reaching at last the well
come shadows of the wood. Throw
Ing herself down upon the sweet pine
needles, she drew deep breaths Of the
pine-scented air. Presently her tired
cyelids dropped lower and lower and
she slept.
Mariana sat up and rubbed her eyes.
1t was sunset. The prospect Of night
overtaking her In strange wood was
not at all pleasant; besides, what
would Miss Kent thlnk7
Mariana rose and hurriedly retraced
her steps through the forest gloom.
Suddenly she paused-terrihed. Near
by, dimly outlined In the gathering
shadows, loomed the huge black body
OF an animal.
Breathlessly she stared back into
the cleaning eyes regarding her. Then
above the beating Of her heart came
the sound of a merry whistle from
the pasture.
Sobbing with relief, Mariana fed
toward the welcome tones. Hurrying
feet crashed through the underbrush
behind her, briars caught and
scratched her. but she sped blindly
on. When the hot, painting breaths
were close beside her, mans voice
called suddenly. then-oblivicn.
When Mariana opened her eyes she
ooked into the face of The Man.
"The bear, has--has he goneT' she
stammered. attempting to rise.
The Man threw away. the remaining
water that had not been used on Mari