Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1926-02-27
Three Pine
Trees
By RUBY DOUGLAS
(copyright.)


AVA phone with troubled expression
in her eyes.
"What is 1t, dear?" her mother
asked.
SELLING tree is like selling child
TO me-" she said.
"Who is selling either onew her
mother questioned farther.
Then Mildred explained that the
telephone call had been from Mrs. Cut
Ter, secretary Of the Babies Welfare
Country home. The property of the
home adjoined the Thompson property
and Mildred had always kept an eye
on the grounds during the winter for
the board Of directors. Now the sec
rotary was telephoning to ask her II
she would mind going over to show
the representative of nursery COM
pany where certain group Of three
trees was. The board had sold these
trees-since the home needed extra
funds for more dormitories, next sum-
mer-and they were to be removed
this week.
II just can't see those lovely pines
dug up and taken away" cried Mil
bred, throwing herself on the couch.
II think 1t is positively wicked to up
root them and sell them. know they
won't grow anywhere else" she de-
clared vehemently. 4
Her mother did not quite sympa-
thize with Mildred's viewpoint, al
though she was mildly sorry to see
the trees being sold. From prac-
tical standpoint it was still right. for
the grounds of the home were plenti-
fully provided with shade trees.
II know you think I'm foolish, moth
err" Mildred went on. "And perhaps
am. have always been sentimental
about nature"
There was much more that she
realized that her parent, being Of an
entirely different temperament, would
not understand.
How could she divulge the wonder,
full secrets those sturdy pines shared
with her-and anOther?< And now
Somehow, the hope that she had
cherished that Rob would return to her
was gone. They had quarreled as
nearly all very young lovers quarrel
before they learn the beauty Of har-
mony. Rob had gone away and she
had not heard from him for two years.
She did not even know what he was
doing.
When she had been lonely. It was
the kindly fragrance of these pines she
sought, the cool shade In summer, the
protection from the winds in winter.
And now they were sold. They were
to be dug up.
It was in belligerent mood that she
waited on the following morning for
the nursery company's representative.
When the bell rang she could not
bring herself to open the door, but let
the maid answer 1t.
When she stepped into the library
where the maid had shown the caller
or whittier he, himself, had betaken
himself Mildred stepped back with a
cry.
"Rob-Rob-you Of all people! I
thought 1t was the tree man.s
$50 1t u.s." he admitted, coming for
ward and extending both hands to her.
"But you"
Eyes, have been employed by
Lewis & Volzing in their southern
nurseries for two years. You know
had fondness for Out-of-door
things?" he said not quite knowing
what to tell her.
"But they have bought our three
pine trees-Rob," she said, her eyes
filling, in spite of herself. with tears.
Rob nodded. 81 know they have
and I have come to superintend the
job Of moving them, Mildred"
"You-you don't carer she could
not help crying.
"Ah, but do. Listen, DEAR" he
began. taking her to the big couch
where they had sat SO often together.
II have come into the family prop
critics by the death of my grandfather.
Among other parcels Of land is love-
ly bit overlooking the lake you and
used to row on and skate on and"
"Yes-I know" Mildred interrupted
II have built home up there and
/ wanted those three trees In the gar
den Just below my windows so that
might be less lonely-in this home,"
he added.
Mildred did not utter a sound.
1.-THE company does not know 1t Ii
for myself have had these trees me-
'gotiated for with the board Of the
Babies home. thought 1t need not
interest them. find shall have to
come back here. My work in the
South is finished and-I wanted q
home. The trees-our trysting place
would mean so much to me-"
| "And-and what Of me?"
| "Oh, they're not on your property.
I didn't suppose you ever gave them q
thought"
And then for a few moments 1t
looked as If there would be another
/ quarrel to separate the lovers.
''Come on over with me. The man will
1 be waiting, dear. knew all the time
] the way you felt. Forgive me. And
i you won't mind nowT'