The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-01-28
Decided by
Fate

~ ~ k--A EasalaA
They rode in silence along the
shady road. shut in on either side by
tall, straight pines. The woods
about them were full of pine scents
and drowsy sounds. A soft wind
blew against their faces as they
vent, and the Girl leaned to 1t, the
color in her cheeks coming and go
ing. She lifted her face with quick
breath.
~smen the pire needles!s she
said
The youth by her side nodded al
most coldly. The girl looked at him
reproachfully, then smiled a little.
At a turn in the road the young
man slackened speed and turned to
the girl with swift gesture. do
you know where we are?"
She looked about her-at the
straight trees and sunfiecked aisles.
"Not in the least, she answered
slowly. isn't it beautiful"
care you very anxious to overtake
the others?" he asked hesitatingly.
@Why?" Her eyes showed her
surprise.
Al meant know-there's some
thing on one Of these roads that's
rather nice. should like to take
you there. But there isn't time to
go there and join the others, too. Z
The girl unused. is it very, very
nice?"
Il like it."
aWould l like it,"
He hesitated. II don t know.
should like to see"
"How will you know" She was
looking at him, half teasing light
in her eyes.
you viii tell me, he spoke
quietly.
LET US join the others she said
uneasily
said tersely.
(Which one leads to what you,
spoke off"
aIm not going to tell. II you
choose tit lis fate"
.Oh!n There was a long silence.
~Oh, 1 can't decide, she said at last
Something underran the words
sYou must!"
A bright color flooded her face.
She drew a flower from her belt and
threw it far ahead See which way
the stem points," she said.
He jumped out and ran to pick il
up. He placed it carefully in his
button hole, while she leaned for
ward, watching him.
(which way?"
ITO the right. He. started up the
machine.
lis tina. the one you wished to
take?"
eThat's for you to find out.
She stared at him with laughing
eyes. How secretive and mysterious.
~You'ye never been so interesting
before"
The road ran through little val
lev. Then it turned abruptly and
mounted steep hill AT the top
thew came upon village, hidden
from sight by the trees, till one
reached it.
@How beautiful it is, said the
girl looking about with eager eyes.
at is like a place. in dream.
The houses were far apart, with
generous yards and leisurely walks,
along which strange, old fashioned
flowers bloomed Through the trees
and between the houses one caught
glimpses of the mountains across the
valley, sleeping in the haze.
eWhat dear little house." ex-
claimed the girl suddenly, half put
ting out her hand. The machine had
stopped. The young man sprang out
"Shall we so in?"
MAY WEI" she asked quickly.
eYes, I know them" He held out
his hand.
show clean and still and loved, It
seems, said the girl, as she walked
along the flower bordered path to
the door. The young man knocked
lightly, and they stood waiting, look
ing back into the yard.
The door opened, and an old wo-
man, a little shy, looked at them
moment Then her face filled with
swift. tender light. why, it is Nor
man
He bent and kissed her.
aThis is Alice Benton, grandma
Their, y he said. II have brought her
to see you"
The old woman held out hand
worn but gracious.
The girl took it in her own, won
dering a little at her sudden sense
Of unimportance.
acome in. my dear" said the
woman.
She opened the door into a dim
room. The windows were open and
the scent of flowers came in, delicate
ly, as the wind went by
eYou will like 1t by the window,
said the woman, throwing open
blind, and her<eyes rested kindly on
the girl. She drew the little three