The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-09-05
UNDER THE
FRESH APPLE
BLOSSOMS
By MILDRED cooDRIDGE


Q ssss$s@<$s3sss
90. 1924. Western Newspaper Union.)
<f~ - ETTIE GORDON is COM
M ing home. hear" OBJ
VI served Richard Lane, meet
ing his friend, Levi Barnes,
on the village street.
"And her sister Constance with
her." was the reply, and then the two
men looked strangely evasively one
into the eyes Of the other, acting as
though they would welcome further
discussion of an interesting Subject,
but each averse to betray the desire
Of his mind
Richard Lane went on his way
deeply reflective. He was an odd,
studious young man. He looked more
grave and settled just now than ever,
for two things were pressing on his
mind-he was trying to hide a Sc
cret, he was in love-hopelessly, he
decided
The belle Of the village was Nettie
Gordon, and her pretty younger sis
ter, Constance, stood next in favor
with the village swains. Richard
and Levi had known them for several
years. Both were constant visitors
i at the Gordon home They were a
happy friendly quartet. Then came
a break. A rich relative In the city
had invited the girls to pass social
season there.
No word of love had ever passed
between the couples Richard was
deeply In love with Nettie. He be-
liesed that Barnes was, too. In his
humble self-deprecating way, Rich
ard decided that Nettie, with her
bright, joyous ways, longed more for
wealth and gayety than the simple
home life he could offer her.
Then the two girls went to the city
and word reaching the village of their
gay fashionable life there. both young
men concluded that the Gordon girls
would never settle down to their old
quiet life.
Richard amid his gloomy reverie
was addressed twice by lady he was
passing by unnoticed, before he looked
up and recognized the mother of the
girls.
II suppose you have heard that the
girls are coming home next week, Mr..
Lane she remarked.
Eyes. heard Of that" responded
Richard in his quiet reserved way. ut
Will be great contrast to them, this
&umdrum life after the gayety and
briety of the city,"
ssIt will be welcome change, Net
tid writes, and Constance, too," said
Mrs. Gordon II judge from what they
write me that they crave the restful-
ness of the dear old home and the good
loyal friends they have known so long.
Nettie is quite Ill. The city doctor
says she Is ON the verge Of nervous
collapse. the result Of late hours and
continuous going about. Poor Nettiel
Her last letter told Of how she would
love to get here just as all nature was
putting on the green and flowery garb
Of spring beauty. She said it would be
like heaven to look out of her bedroom
window mornings, with the gentle
breeze waiting In the odor Of the bios
SONS of the apple tree just under IT..
Why, Mr.. Lane, you planted that tree
for us foo. years ago. Don't you re-
member?"
why. yes-I think do" STAN
mered Richard, his sensitive mind fiut-
tering at the allusion.
cAn xx.f1l ,~,tr. %hc< %wnc a~,. ,SA,.fY,- -
went ON Mrs. Gordon. II had not the
heart to tell her that the great Ice
storm had broken 1t down just after
| Christmas"
"And she mentioned the tree?" al
most unconsciously murmured Richard
In an audible tone.
EYES, and spoke of your planting It
but she never writes without asking
about you"
Richard Lanes heart throbbed with
new inspiration Of hope as he left
the lady. The emotion Swallowed later,
as he reflected that Nettie. after her
bright city experience. would regard
him as duller and more commonplace
than ever. And then, too, as he thought
OF Levi Barnes and 10 sprightly tai
ented ways, he felt that he had dam
ger0us rival.
.But I'll do It'll" he said to himself
resolutely. "She may not love me, but
she viii love the tree. That Is some
thing decided the poor unselfish fell
low.
What Richard was thinking of doing
was to remove the stump of the old
tree and plant new one. In the gar
den Of the house his father had left
him there were dozen healthy apple
trees just coming into blossom. There
was only one way of transplanting
such at this advanced season Of vege-
tation. The dirt about them must be
disturbed as little as possible.
"Why. Lane spoke Mr.. Gordon.
coming upon Richard In his yard the
next day. what in the world are you