Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-03-08

enough III tuIo "iShOu "OAiN ~
that even single blessedness Is no! al
ways perfectly satisfactory. She hadfilrt'
ed with several admirers, but she went
too far when she refused Billy Winkum
because he was poor and unknown. for
Billy had in him that stuff that makes a
man rise in some place--opinions OF his
own, a loud voice, feeling that he was
good as anybody else, ifnot a little bet
ter. and a talent for Fourth of July
orat,ons. So that in these years which
had changed his love from that hand
some Jane Beagle to MISS Jane
Beagle. that hasn't ever married he
had risen in the world and been to Con-
gress, and was person Of such distlnc'
ton now no one would have dared 10
called him Billy Winkum. Mr.. William
Warrington winkum was his designa-
ton finer coat, more watch AID
chain, or larger diamond IN his cravat,
were owned by no one in Billberry.
He had never married, but that had
made him all the more desirable 10
Billberry society. He had met Jane
very often there; and now Jane would
very willingly have proved TO him that
her decision No of fifteen years ago
had been repented of. Alas! either
William Warrington Winkum no longer
grieved oyer that No. or he regarded
it as final.
And yet he hasn't married, said
Miss Jane; and he don't firt round
amongst the young girls, nor pay any
attention TO the windows. l havo not
gray hair. He is five years older than
1 am any way. Suppose he should like
me still p
However, concealment did not seem
to prey like worm IN bud on Mr..
William Warrington Winkun's damask
cheek. He shouted on the platform al
elections with unimpaired lung power,
and he built himself house on the hill
wherein he installed housekeeper, hls
remarkable old grandmother. who had
outllved fourteen grandchildren, aud al
ninety, walked, rode, talked and ate
with an energy not often met IN wo'
man OF forty.
Oh! that house with its bright bricks,
its new shutters, its elaborate root, It's
stately chlmneys, its balcony and front
porch, real lace curtains aud velvet
furniture How often Jane Beagle salC
to herself.
sAll this might have been mine If
had said yes 10 Billy She said it tc
herself very often one day, about house
cleaning time, when she was doing her
best with the shabby old house that was
all her own now. One after another
had slipped out Of it-some were MARI
ed, some we're dead-nobody remained.
81 don't think eau stand 1t much
longer sighed Jane. 4 must take
boarders or something. Nobody tc
speak to all day long, feel sick. nc
body to do for me-
Jane was down on the kitchen dool
scrubbing 8 she spoke. The rag car
pet was hanging on the line outside
The rush.bottomed chairs, well scrub
bed, were turned upon the grass to dry
every pane shone beautifully, but the
wood was worn-eaten, and the smooth
est wbitwash would not make the walls
aawless.
'Helgh ho' sighed Jane; Il like
handsome house, hut | shan't ever have
one of my own.
She said it aloud--a habit of talking
to herself had grawn upon her-but to
her surprise she was answered on the
instant.
why, who knows!' said voice
sYou may have the handsomest house
| 10 the village yet. Who knowsT Don
you want me TO tell you how?'
Good gracious!' cried Jane, jumping
| to her feet; who is that?'
Its only me, ma'am,' replied stout
dark woman, with big straw hat trim
med with popples on her ears, who sal
on the door sill and smiled at Jane mer-
rlly. 'Irs only poor gypsy wandering
over the world telling fortunes for them
Will YOU have yours told, lady?'
Miner SAID Jane, laughing. Why,
| 1 am too DID,
You are young enough 10 have lots
ahead OF you, lady, said the gypsy.
Come, what's twenty-five cents to you
10 bear all your good luckS Besides,
luck Is missed sometimes 1t we are mol
on the look ont for it,
What woman does not believe IN her
inmost heart that there are more things
| ia heaven and earth than are dreamed
o! in her philosophy?
What single woman doubts that SOM
where upon earth keeps that other ia't
half other soul?
1T would be awfally foolish SAID
she; but nobody will ever kaow, and
think I'll do It,
She felt in her pocket for some change
1t was not there. She had given 1t, she
remembered, to the man that mendet
the wash.boller that morning. An'
she went TO the drawer Of the LITTLE