The Coolidge examiner., 1936-08-14

| Waheneu nlm very early the morn
ing air was still night-cold and
fresh when he yawned, stretched.
drew back his quilts and sprang out
of bed.
A few minutes later, in his white
shirt and gray knickerbockers he
closed his door noiselessly and tip
toed down the hall past the door
which must be DebOrahs. since II
was the only closed one along the
corridor Gary, who was obviously
in DebOrah's confidence, had been
most reluctant even to give Bryn
a room in this wing. but it couldn't
be helped, since Mrs Larned her
self was in the north wing.
Bryn stepped out over the puff of
dew-laden grass at the foot Of the
steps, to the wide red uneven stones
Of the path. He thrust his hands
in his pockets and sauntered along
| the side of the south wing and
around the end. He was facing the
mountain now; there was still n
little broken wreath Of mist around
| the top. Between him and the for
est. at the back of the stretch of
park land, he could see the serrat
| ed rows of the orchard trees. and
a clear fiat space beside it which
appeared to be garden. He fol-
|
hedged with dropping wet grass.
across to the corner of the orchard.
He came to stop beneath a cherry
tree whose topmost boughs were still
laden down with heavy fruit. Bryn
regarded it. He put a foot on a
low branch and swung himself up
into the tree as far the heavier
branches would take him.
The cherry tree, being on the side
OF the hill, was a vantage point.
Below him the house, smOthered in
its ivy, lay without a sign Of habi-
tatiOn. Beyond it the brook was
marked out by the double line of
weeping willows.
Directly ahead lay a gentle slope
of meadow; and as Bryn's eyes fell
upon it he caught quite distinctly
flash of blue across the green.
1t had most certainly been a
gown. He climbed down hastily
from the tree and started off across
the garden.
He came at last into the natural
clearing which had once been the
| bottom of the stream. His eyes
caught again that blue flash
ah, there she was.
Deborah was kneeling on the side
of a little knoll, with round blue
bowl beside her. She was picking
wild Strawberries. She was dressed
in short-sleeved blue dress, per-
haps little faded, but still ex-
tremely becoming.
She looked up, startled, her eyes
wide and dark.
Good morning." Bryn offered
cheerfully. Did something happen
to your clock, or do you usually get
up at half-past tive?"
Il usually get up," she replied.
Bryn dropped down comfortably
on the grass yard away.
She gathered her skirts together
around her knees, rose, and moved
farther away. Il don't think there
are any berries left where you are"
she remarked. But you ought to
look before you get down on the
ground"
Il did look" Bryn replied. You
may not have seen me, Deborah,
but l looked. My eye is very quick.
pride myself on it. To see one
of natures jewels shining among
the dank and ugly grasses is one
Of the things I'm best at"
Across the knoll she regarded him
steadily. 1T sounds very poetic"
she said at last.
Deborah" Bryn began.
The color flashed back into her
cheeks. Must you call me that?"
she demanded. Il didn't ask you to
call me that. You haven't any
| right"
Il was about to discuss that very
question myself" Bryn replied. II
was about to ask you if we couldn't
come to some sort Of compromise.
"Comrromise?"
"We got on very well on the trip
up here. You didn't seem to mis-
trust me. But after we got here
Yesterday at lunch. and last night
at dinner and in the drawing room
later-you must admit it was diff
cult"
She lifted her chin. You were
so-familiar." she said proudly.
"Familiar?" he repeated.
II don't think it was necessary.
You you talked as if you
| looked at me you . and you
put your arm around GRANDMOTHER
when you said goodnight. l saw
you"
II couldn't help it," Bryn said
mournfuIly. "She's very nice
grandmother, after all, isn't She?
And | never saw one like her be-
fore. If you can imagine it, De-
borah. never had grandmother