The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1922-05-25
THE TREE GIRL
D. LGr BRADFORD.
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Donald stopped at the foot Of tn
long hill. threw himself down uAde
= large apple tree which hung ove
thu road. and wiped his brow.
"Going to rest . minute, dad, befor
tackle that mountain" he 1lle,
to bis father. who waved his hand II
reply, and continued pushing his b
cycle up the ascent.
His sister. Roberta. and their mothe
had gone to their grAndfathers farm
In New Hampshire BY train. Donald
and his father were making the trip Il
ID bike" ~ Don expressed 1t, and en-
1oyed It immensely.
Don watched his father till. hs
reached ths top. leaned his wheel
against Z tree and sat down In Z
shady spot. He reached for his hat
PUNK A very large, red apple
dropped into his upturned straw hat
He seized 1t and sank his teeth into
the juicy fruit.
Gee" he said aloud, "a gift from
the godsi PUNK! Another round,
red apple dropped in the same spot.
"One for pop" he said, storing II
away In his pocket.
He looked up into the tree and en-
countered pair Of laughing eyes, be-
longing TO girl In pink Bingham
dress, perched on the highest limb.
Not gift from the gods. but from
= 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
ingiy. Wei. 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" ~ he called her. was constantly
In the background Of his mind.
1t was the summer sitter he Eradu-
stsd 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 4 desirable position.
He was tentatively turning over In
his mind the possibility Of looking up
the white farmhouse On = corner Of 4
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 girl friend Of
hers who was finished" at the same
school as herself, and begged
Donald to stay at home few weeks
before he went to his grandfathers.
Yes, I'll stay" he said ungraciously.
but for PHYS sake stop singing her
praises from morning till night"
"Oh, Don, look! just got her pic
ture-"
"Maisie," he continued. scornfully.
refusing to look ut 1t. what a name !
Probably 1t 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 q
very bright sweet face"
"Malsie, Maisie. clean gone crazy"
sang Don, as he lodged pillow flung |
at him by his irate sister.
"A
lived and the three met again in their
sitting room.
"Gee, MON, | don't like dinner par /
Ties; FIX me an abb. will your" plead
ed Dor.
u will not" answered his mother
irmly; 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,
iark-haired girl was sitting In the ham,
mock. an amused smile In her bright
Eyes.
THE Apple Tree Girlp calculated
Don. He came nearer. who are your"
he asked cautiously.
''Why. I'm Malsie, Maisie. clean gone
ray" she answered demurely.
He stared at her. quick flush flood
ng his tan.
Say, I'm no end ashamed OF myself,
md l owe you an apology. How will
'ou have itf"
Not at ALL" she laughed. II know
xnctly how you felt. Your sister had
our photo at school and talked Of you
great deal. and I've really known
ou for four years now" she added.
The ,'ny seemed singuhriy bright to
)ou. seated himself on the ground
lear her.
did you-did you ever mention our
Ipple tree acQualntancer he asked
NO" she blushed. Il never-hap-
ened to mention 1t to anyone"
DO you still climb apple treesr
eased Don.
..Oh. 1 can" she flashed back. then