Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-27
TheDailyNouelette
L., The Red Ear
,v CLARISSA MACKtE

vo,r 20 to the huskins bee, Ruth,
~ ioT must let me 60 with you,
,..,,,ed , Ruth's aunt. II don't np-
a.s, a.srs Of your running around to par
prov. .,;,h 81 strange young men,"
'ies s'o, Wa curse it would be lovely If you
III - Aunt DELL said Ruth sim
conlu , ~ "but do remember, please that
cer,,, m. = strange young man, but
hal .rote and a schoolmate--1 have
,.wn r him all my days
Snvy ,,v.s-but I would rather you went
,,,, i,n mo " declared scdate Miss Hen.
WIN ., Mating her smooth bands OF
oelsis crew, hair with small white fingers.
sS.I sv.n know my dear, that we Hen.
ms M have never been accustomed
:. u.' attending all the village entertain
~.rts, and it is only lately that / have
'a,n., "....d Won to mingle with them
'"" "And 7 have had the happicst time
ii nv life, auntie," smiled Ruth
r,stfully. "You have been 20 good
Y, ,ro since father and mother were
,,,,d-1 " em so grateful and l want
10 please you , ..
..,,ns. YOUR penchant for Hall con-
~. that I nm bit predjudiced there.
~ ! tnow Hal is rising young. doctor
) - hound to succeed in his fnther 8
s%s sanIondid practice here; nevertheless, L
l spve always felt an antipathy for him
au,c .rsr since he was small boy and
S,ote some Of my choicest plants and
.trnbs Vt one day when he was stealing
,hsrries. s I caught him in the tree nnd
nrdered him down. He came, defiant
.ud nngry-as soon rs he reached the
,.onnd he poured out the cherries on
.bs grass at my feet and ran, away.
7 nm after him-T had small switch
!, NV band-but I stumbled and fell.
Sreaking nv arm--he had the grace
"A come and humbly apologize without
avon az the knowledge of his parents. and
I did respect him. But it would
tsenly disappoint me If you married
Hal Denton.
"He has never asked me. Aunt DELL"
osured Ruth, her cheeks quite pink.
Miss Dell turned her eyes away; she
coud not bear to see that hurt look in
her darlng's eyes, yet her own pride
and long cherished dislike Of Hal Den
ion sealed her lips.
The party was given in Cyrus rlan-
tain's enormous barn. 1t was to be
an od.time husking bee. barn dance
with a hearty supper served aftcrward
on the lawn. All the folks in the
Village were invitcd---the ministers had
read out the invitations in the churches.
A small sum was charged for admis-
sion and the proceeds were to 60 to
the wounded soldiers. Miss Henderson
and her pretty niece were among the
late arrivals and the husking was in
full swing MS they found the way to
seats among the sweet smelling heaps
Oi corn. Every one knew about the
red ear Of cOrn-whcnever one was
found the lucky finder had the privi-
lpge Of claiming kiss from some one
eIse-that was the twentieth century
version Of the old custom. Miss Hem
derson had considered the possibility
Of the red ear falling to her lot. and
she had decided to bestOw kiss upon
Young Bobby Carew. her cousins
Youngest child. AS for Ruth-she simp.
y dared not think of what would hap
pen II her niece found the red cor
she hoped Ruth would think Of Bobby
Carew as safe escape from an en-
barrassing situation.
Ruth was enjoying herself thorough
y. She had had few breathless words
with Hal Denton and occasionally
heir eyes met and spoke, but the young
ioctor busted himself with the other
Youths OF the town and stripped the
great ears rapidly, joining in songs and
'tories. The fun and frolic was ut its
height when roar Of laughter from the
others revealed the fact that DR.. Hal
had uncovered red ear of corn. He
stood thcr" blushing furiously. his hand
,omc fGre smiling in embarrassment.
iie hestated but a moment, recovered
MS compoSure and advanced toward
me corner where Miss Henderson sat
with Ruth.
Ihe others watched breathlessly.
All OF them knew thnt Hal was in
.ov" with Ruth. and most of them
were quite sure that Miss Henderson
", '"u iroWh upon the match some OF
mem had heard that Hal was disliked
'y thc aunt and that boyish caper
would no doubt cost him his life's
,,appln"Ss Hal knew it. TOO and fought
I'sperat"Iy to atone for his childish
With a swift glance at
tI'h he passed hcr and dropped grace
WiIy, upon one knee before Miss Dell
henderson. holding out the red ear in
Us nest Of creamy husks.
\ small boy humbly apologies for
'eaIlng your cherries. Miss Dcll-and
u nan Hp"llosizos for the small hoy!'
e smiled whimsically st her. and layinr