The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-05-15
HARVEST MOON
BY RIVIERA HERsEY


OUNCE walked down the path that
- led TO her front gate, her usually
merry face marred ~ frown. and
her little heels digging fiercely into
the gravel on the walk Climbing into
the little. brown car that stood in the
road, she slammed the door after her
with bang. Then, with one more
angry glance at the letter, she crushed
1t into her pocket, threw out the
clutch, and letting it in again with
force that somewhat matched her feel
ings, sent the little roadster forward
with jerk
She stopped at the grade crossing,
and taking out the letter while wait.
ing, read it through once more. AS
she turned the page, unconsciously
tender light came into her eyes; -
and 1 know you will be glad to hear
that while 1 was in the neighborhood
1 went over to the sanitarium to see
Jim Harold. Well, all I can say la
that the doctors and the baths and
treatments have all done their best for
him.
you remember, he said he would
try the treatments for six months,
whether for veal or for woe, but a
terrible wound such as Jim received,
added to the hardship Of life in the
trenches for such very long time.
can do an awful lot of harm, and when
you remember that a fellow hasn't
been able to walk for nearly eight
months-why, he needs a lot of cur
ing"
Eunice's face was very thoughtful.
The sound of her horn brought
Grace and Aunt Jane out to meet her,
and the three worked busily putting
in place all the ears Of corn, sumach,
place cards and other decorations for
the evening. Eunice saved her disap-
pointing news for the very end.
II shall have to come back Alone"
she announced as she climbed into
the little roadster once more; "Joe
sent word this morning that he
couldn't possibly get here-at least,
not till very late. It's shame" as
she noted the way Grace Harold's
face fell.
Eyes, it is too bad" agreed Grace,
trying to speak nonchalantly, land
not to have Jim here, either. Poor
fellow"
I've a wonderful game to play"
whispered Grace in excitement, as Eu-
nice slipped out of her wraps that
evening. ITS one that Jim and used
to play when we were youngsters.
It's secret-even from you," and
she rushed away to welcome her
guests who were just arriving.
A merry, light-hearted group of
young folks they we're and how they
did enjoy themselves. Aunt Jane felt
herself growing young once more, and
when they had come to the inevitable
lull, and even the gayest seemed to
lag, she stepped into the breach at
once.
Outdoors, all of you," she COM
manded, laughingly. "Now. draw
lots"
"Who drew the longest strip"
asked Aunt Jane. breaking into the
silence.
Eunice held out the paper.
Then Aunt Jane explained:
you are out of sight of the house
Hold this mirror in your hand, and,
letting the moonlight fall over your
left shoulder, repeat this rhyme three
times. Then look in the glass and the
the face of the man you are to marry
will look out at you"
So, laughing, Eunice tripped of.
Shutting her eyes, she recited rap
idly:
Under the Harvest Moon here stand.
Magic mirror in my hand, eg
Moonbeams SO full in a sky 10 clear,
Pray let me see in the mirtor here
The face of the man who will some day
be
The dearest in all the world to me.
So intent was she in getting through
with this Peter Piper performance that
she did not hear the click Of the or
chard gate nor the soft swish Of foot
steps over the pine needles, and with a
little scream Eunice dropped the mir.
ror and covered her eyes as q deep,
familiar voice behind her repeated
softly:
Under the Harvest sky. 10, I stand.
Brought hither. fair lady. at thy COM
mand.
For the moon that Is shining away up
there
Never shone on face more wondrous
fair, 81 p p : -'''s' 'i'
And my life will never quite happy be
TIL it's dearest in all this world to me.
And as If to convince her that he
was more than thin air. two hands
turned Eunice around to confront the
impromptu poet.
"Oh, Jim," she gasped, ,"it is veal.
II is veal, am SO gladl"
YES" said the man, his voice trem-
bling with emotion, ut is veal. and
now can tell you what I have wanted
to tell you for ages, but dared not I'm
til ! knew should be well again. Eu-
nice. dear, the harvest moon is shin