Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-01-26
HOW IT ENDED.

HOW 1T ENDED.
Miss Jane Beagle had lived years
enough In this wicked world to know
that even single blessedness is not
always perfectly satisfactory. She had
fiirted with several admirers, but she
went too far when she refused Billy
Winkum because he was poor and un-
Known, for Billy had in him that stuff
that makes man rise in some place
opinions of his own, loud voice, q
feeling that he was as good as anybody
else, if not little better, and a talent
for Fourth OF July orations. So that in
these years which had changed his old
love from 'sthat handsome Jane Beagle"
to s.Miss Jane Beagle, that hasn't ever
married." hs had risen in the world and
been to Congress, and was person of
such distinction that no one would have
dared to call him Billy Winkum. Mr..
William Warrington Winkum was his
designation; finer coat, more watch
and chain, or larger diamond in his
cravat, were owned by no one in Bill
berry.
He had never married, but that had
made him all the more desirable to
Billberry society. He had met Jane
very often there; and now Jane would
very willingly have proved to him that
her decisive s'No" Of fifteen years ago
had been repented OF. Alasl either
Mr.. William Warrington Winkum no
longer grieved over that 'sNo," or he
regarded it as final
"And yet he hasn't married." said
Miss Jane; land he don't firt round
amongst the young girls, nor pay atten-
tion to the widows. | have not gray
hair. He is five years older than I am
in any way. Supposehe should like me
still?"
However, concealnent did not seem
TO prey like worm in bud on Mr..
William Warrington Winkum's damask
cheek. He shouted on the platform at
election with unimlaired lung power,
and he built himselfa house on the hill
wherein he installed housekeeper, his
rsmarkable old grandmother, who had
outlived fourteen grandchildren, and at
ninety walked, rode, talked and ate
with an energy not often met in woman
of forty.
Oh that house with its bright bricks.
its new shutters. its elaborate roof, its
stately chimneys its balcony and front
porch, and it's interior of Wilton car
pets, real lace curtains and velvet parlor
furniturel How often Jane Beagle said
to herself:
ss All this might have been mine If
had said yes to Billy" She said it to
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 mar
ried, some were dead - nobody re-
manned.
g I don't think / can stand it much
longer" sighed Jane. 8 must take
boarders or something. Nobody to
speak to all day long. If I feel sick,
nobody to do for me"
Jane was down on the kitchen floor
scrubbing as she spoke. The rag
carpet was hanging on the line outside.
The rr1h-bottoned chairs, well scrub
bed, were turned upon the grass to dry,
every pan shone beautifully, but the
wood was vorm-eaten, and the
smoothest whiiewash would not make
the wall fawless.
"Heigh no, sighed Jane; "Ilike a
handsome house, but I shant ever have
0ne-ef ray own"
She said it aloud-a habit of talking
to herself had grown upon her-but to
her surprise she was answered on the
instant.
:. Why, who knowsl" said 3 voics.
"You may have the handsomest house
in the village yet. Who knows 2 /"
Don't you want me to tell you how 2"
"Good gracious . cried Jane, jump
ing to her feet "who is that 2"
cts only me, ma'am," replied d
stout dark woman, with . big straw hat
trimmed with poppies on her ears, who
sat on the door sill and smiled at Jane
merrily. It's only q poor gypsy
wandering over the world telling folks
fortunes for them. Will you have yours
told, ladya'
"Mine ~ said Jane. laughing.
"Why. / am too old.
g You are young enough to have lots
ahead Of you, lady" said the gypsy
Come, what's twenty five cents to You
to hear all your good luck2 Besides
luck is misused sometimes if we are mol
on the look out for it.
What woman does not believe IN hel
inmost heart that there are moro things