Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-02-11

<EGZsr contrary, sne WAS
A(T&D rather proud to do
N/nS so. 1t was some
O\/t% thingto be proud of.
Not that she was
sixty-four, but that at sixty-four she
looked not day over forty eight, and
blooming forty eight at that.
True, her hair was silver, but what
a waving wealth of silver And it was
not sent to soften wrinkles either.
She wore as many of those ornaments
as it is legitimate to wear at forty
eight, and no more. Oh, she was cer-
tainly wonderful woman for her age,
was Mrs. Joseph Allestreel
Quaint, indeed, she appeared, par
ticularly on certain evening. stand
ing IN the old square portico, with
the sun shining straight under the
trees into her face.
The house at her back was low and
long. 1t stood endwise to the hazy
little river that flowed at the foot of
the abruptly sloping lawn. On the
side, at the end oi long, shady ave-
nue., was gate with an old-fashioned
wooden arch over It, concealed by
vines.
1t was toward this gate that Mrs.
Allestree looked, leaning forward
eagerly, like girl, one hand shield
ing her eyes from the level sunbeams.
She wore white--think of her daring
to wear white She was watching for
Joseph. He had gone down to Stone
ton-only mule distant-for the post
at o'clock. That was two hours ago.
Joseph did love dearly to gossip with
the old farmers and shopkeepers, but
he really ought to remember dinner
time.
But Joseph had not forgotten his
dinner. At this very minute the gate
opened and his little gig rolled in,
followed by three enthusiastic dogs
q St. Bernard and two red settlers.
Mr.. Alestree, after embracing his
wife as if he had just returned from
years journey, went in with her to
dinner, and Mr.. Allestree was but
will not describe him; simply he was
everything that the husband of Mrs.
Allestree should have been. Forty
two years had gone by since their
marriage and in all that time they had
never been separated single day.
"Dearest," sald Mr.. Allestree as
they sat down, 81 owe you an apology
for my tardiness, bnt it couldn't be
helped. L got n letter calling lie
away on an important matter, and 1
had to stop to attend to some things in
the village. must go Immediately
tomorrow.
"Oh, that Perley affair."" she said,
glanclng over the page. "Buu, Joseph,
can't you put it off? Remember, the
Kennedys are coming in the morning
to stay over Sunday"
al cannot, Henrietta. It's got to
be attended to at once"
"But, Joseph, you can't 20 without
me. You know you never did suoh q
thing"
81 am afraid ] must do it this time. >
he replied, mourniully.
They sat in silence for some minutes.
Twice Mrs. Allestree wiped away a sly
tear with her napkin. At length,
brayely assuming cheerful aspect
she asked: Glow long will YOU be
| gone"
az can't possibly reach London, &C
complish all / want to and get hom,
again In less than ten days"
"Joseph, it will kill US both"
"Ah, no, my DEAR" he laughed
sit won't quite do thai. At least,
hope not. 1t will be very, very hard
But think, my love, we were apart tiv,
long years once on time"
"Ah, Joseph" with a sob in he
voice, "that was before we had eve
lived together. We only knew eacl
other by letter, you know"
"And mighty comfort did we tax
out of those same letters. Isn't i
strange that in two and forty years W.
should never have had occasion t,
write to one anotherP Not since yo,
were Henrietta Shower"
"It is a singular circumstance" she