The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-02-24

frightened about him. II he could only
be in alarming danger without its be-
ing serious! ! believe 1t would be
easier then; but he can't, and what
shall do?"
After few minutes agitated rustling
up and down the room, she resumed!
"I dent mind her being pretty; lots
OF country girls are that and are per-
feet failures, for they are likely to be
simple too. But il she's smart enough
to have style about her, think shall
grow distracted. Henry is always per-
fectly infatuated with style. That in
wolves the worst part of it; to be stylish,
one must be very sharp and clever, and
to have an air about one takes q clear
head and artful scheming. oh, I'll be
scared to death II she's q stylish
woman!"
When Mrs Basset and her husband
entered the house, cordial welcome
| was given her and a room prepared for
her upstairs. But her field of opera
| tions laid below, amid the informalities
| of household custom. In conversation,
| thoughts and talked in ambush of the
subject that engrossed and tormented
her.
"Mr. Whitcomb was born in thatvery
house, wasn't hep" she inquired, by way
of challenging remark.
"Oh, yes; he was born and raised in
this part of the country" And as Mrs.
Basset moved over to the kitchen stove
with the iron in her hand, the floor
shook under her heavy tread. Mrs.
Whitcomb glanced involuntarily down
at her own light, trinity clad foot and
then said:
81 suppose you knew him, didn't
you? Maybe you were together at
cuttings or singing school, or wherever
it Is the young people go for amuse-
ment?"
"Oh, yes" replied Mrs. Basset, smil-
ing broadly. ''My husband and
knew him we'll We always called him
Little Whit, because he was somewhat
slight and never stout like the other
boys"
II have heard them say he was quite
a favorite with the girls out here-he
always was graceful and had a taking
way with him-and that in fact when
he was quite young, he fell desperately
in love with one of them," said Mrs.
Whitcomb, in careless manner.
''They try to tease me about that now.
What beautiful tidy this isl" and she
leaned over admiringly to coarse cro-
cheted netting fastened to the back of
chair. Then throwing herself lightly
back again she added: II suppose you
can tell quite story bout itp''
set, in pleased surprise. "oh, yes;
how could you guess? When l was
just fifteen years old had four grand
mothers living-two great ones, you
know--and they all knit that for me.
I think all the world of it; everyone re-
CARDS it as a great curiosity"
Mrs. Whitcomb was disappointed at
this result-albeit she was momentarily
startled at the remarkable incident
itself-and resolved not to make a
second mistake.
Indeed! 1t is certainly wonderful.
Pm surprised that you use it about the
house. But your having no children
makes many things possible. Mr.. Bas-
set is such a strong man! | envy him
when think of my husband Henry
will have to stay here several weeks
perhaps, and how Pm to go back home
without him is hard to tell. But he
will meet some of his old friends again
| when he is stronger. That girl he
| especially liked-she is here, is she?'
she asked, complacently gathering in
with thumb and finger the rutfie that
fell about her wrist.
THE girl? Oh, yes, she's here" re.
sponded Mrs. Bassett.
II suppose she is a woman now?"
Eyes, she's woman now, of course. -
II wonder if l couldn't see her some
time. l have great curiosity about
her. Oh, who is that?" and she sprang
to the window. What fine rider She
is, and doesn't she look splendid OF
horse back? That isn't country girl
is it? She isn't that woman, is she?'
She started painfully and fixed he
eyes upon Mrs Basset's imperturbabl,
face.
"Oh, no, that isn't the woman. Blu
she's from this neighborhood, though
She's one of the Brockville girls; the,
all ride
"She's very fashionably dressed sh
looks as ii she came from the city,
unused Mrs. Whitcomb. Then sh
blushed little and entered the battl
bravely.
SIS this other woman nice looking?
Every one seems to think her goo
looking woman. Mr.. Whitcomb used t
think so," and Mrs. Basset's iron sli
. smoothly over shining napkin.
The disturbed wife was fast losing
calm view of the situation. She ros
, and sauntered to II glass hangin
against the wall. saying with an hy'
3 terical laugh:
$ Papa ana aunt say that he onl
married me because was pretty. Bu
/, I'm positively getting wrinkled nov
+ and Henry can't endure wrinkles.
1 She looked in with frown at the pucl
r cred forehead reflected in the glas
r To herself, she was saying: ITO 2
4 back home and leave him here wit
4 her, and / not knowing what she
a like-I can't do it! Silly unreasonab
}. child that / ami"
l. ''She is married now" suggested Mr.
j. Basset. tt
& "Oh, yes, ! suppose SO. All attra
e tive women get married. Women
Q the country follow the fashions gre;
o deal nowadays, don't they? meal
n If they are clever enough. i suppos
g they copy the pictures they see. an
S follow the directions of the mag,