Page:George Weston--The apple-tree girl.djvu/89

 wind had kissed her cheeks till they looked like ripe apples; her eyes had that depth of tenderness which seems to be reserved for old-fashioned girls; and the knowledge that everybody liked her had given her an indefinable winsomeness of manner which can only be suggested by the word "charm."

Summer and autumn in the country had done her a world of good. She was developing like a young goddess, and there were moments when she had such a vibrant gift of life that she threw out her arms and felt she could fly. That afternoon, particularly, as she strode up the hill which overlooked the farm, she walked as though her feet refused to stay on the ground, and over and over she kept repeating: "I've got it! Yes, and I'm sure I can do it. I'm sure I can—if I'm smart."

She reached the top of the hill quite out of breath, and made for an oak which overlooked the country for miles around.