Evening star., 1938-03-30

JoHNNP CHUCK watched his de-
feated rival limp out Of sight
among the bushes along the border OF
the Old Orchard. He no longer had
cause to be jealous, nor would he have
this year from that particular rival
Having been fairly defeated. the lat
ter would move on and seek a home
elsewhere. Johnny turned to Polly
Chuck. Polly was once more coy, just
as she had been when she had dis
covered the presence of the handsome
stranger before Johnny had arrived
on the scene. She wasn't looking at
Johnny. She was looking quite another
way. Yet she saw him, and he knew
that she saw him.
Johnny sat upright. He made him
self as tall as he could. He made him
self appear as big and strong as pos
sible. He whistled sharply. 1t was a
shrill whistle. It was whistle Of tri-
umph. Polly turned. It wouldn't have
done to pretend not to have heard that
whistle. She appeared startled. sur
prised. She acted as If Johnny were a
stranger. as II she never had seen him
before. She dropped her eyes before
his gaze, then turned and disappeared
In her home.
Johnny didn't follow. He knew bet
ter than to do that. He waited. He
didn't mind. He could affard to wait.
Hadn't he had this same experience
every spring? Presently he saw Polly
Chuck peeping out at him. Johnny
took no notice. He busted himself
licking the wounds he had received in
the fight with his rival. Polly poked
her nose outside. Johnny took no
notice. She put her whole head out
side. Johnny took no notice. She came
wholly out on the doorstep. Still john
ny took no notice.
Johnny continued to lick his wounds.
They were not serious and they had re-
ceived all the licking they needed.
Still Johnny continued to lick them.
Presently Polly stole over beside him
and began to lick them, too She licked
them very gently. A feeling OF great
contentment took possession of
Johnny.
They touched noses. Then Polly
snuggled up beside Johnny. I'm glad
you drove that fellow away. I'm 50
glad you've come" whispered Polly.
II guess I came just in time" re-
piled Johnny dryly.
Polly pretended that she hadn't
heard this Where have you been?"
she demanded. II looked and looked
for you, but you were nowhere to be
seen. Have you just walked up?" She
knew very we'll that he hadn't.
Johnny explained that he had awak-
ened before she did, that he had had
to travel all over the Green Meadows
in order to find enough green food to
keep him alive; that finally he visited
the Old Pasture and had to stay there
while the great flood covered the Green
Meadows with water
you do look rather thin" said Polly.
"You are not exactly fat yourself"
replied Johnny.
But I'm feeling wonderful, only
hungry" said Polly.
Then We'll go look for something
to eat" declared Johnny.
So they went to look for something
to eat, and because Polly knew all the
places nearby where the grass was be-
ginning to grow, she led and Johnny
followed. When they had eaten enough
she led the way back to her newly dug
home. How do you like it," she asked.
Johnny replied that he liked it very
much, what he had seen Of 1t, which
was only the outside. Polly started
down in, then turned to put her head
out.
Come along in," said she. "1t isn't
finished yet. We probably will want
to make it little deeper, and we'll
need a little larger bedroom, but I
think you will agree with me that 1t
Is in one of the best locations we ever
have had. It is dry and sunny, and
all we can ask for"
Johnny followed with a little sigh
Of contentment. He had q home at
last, with Polly to share it, and the
feeling was good.