The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-12-14

ldteS were Ill the FORM OF
NON an eccentric aunt, who left
large estate to David on
the condition that he marry one-any
ene-ot Springfield's fair daughters.
at first David had rebelled. He said
ne would never step foot in the pokey
little village. Then he concluded to
spend the summer there.
Sitting on fhe hotel porch he espied
vision in frills and ruff1es. "Who is
that?' he asked the clerk. interested at
once. And who couldn't have been +?
For the lady was dressed in the dain-
test of white lawns, and wore a big
picture hat, from under the brim of
which she glanced almost mischieyous-
ly at him.
"0h, that is Mrs. Vernon" was the
answer. The clerk lifted his hat in re.
Spouse to bewildering smile of greet.
ing.
Hang it ALL" David thought. 81
never did see woman | could love
that wasn't already married." He ate
MS supper with relish, thinking all the
while of the fact that he never saw an
attractive single girl in his life.
Going out on the porch again, his at
rentlon was arrested by the sight of
another charming young woman. In
stantly he forgot about the picture hat
he looked fair and square and way
deep into pair of the tenderest blue
eyes imaginable.
who is that?" he asked quickly.
why, that's Mrs Hurd." Again
IavId's heart sank. He wondered WHY
married women were allowed to go
around loose in pink airy gowns and
soft lace.
Four different girls passed during the
evening. "Uncommonly ugly and
sSwdy," David thought. bitterly.
Our girls aren't much, but on, wild
'sYs are our PRIDE" the gal.ulcus
clerk volunteered.
And who are the widows?" David
asked YEARLY. kA
Mrs. Vernon and Mrs. Hurd." came
the answer
"Hurray" Ds lid exclaimed. "a
beautiful sunset. am very enthusiasts
tic about sunsets The clerk looked
puzzled.
1t was all matter of taste which
was the prettier Both were charming
each in her own particular wy. But ii
must not be imagined the ladies were
at all alike.
f, Mrs. Vernon was plump, inclined to
stOutness. with rosy cheeks, brown
hair, and sparkling eyes. She was from
hardy German stock and rose at 4
ia the morning to accomplish a big
days work. if the occasion demanded
it. No matter how hard she worked
her eyes lost none of their luster nor
her smile its briIliancy.
Mrs. Hurd was petite, decidedly
small, in fact, with yellow hair aad
great blue eyes-eyes as innocent ag a
ciaild's, but full of pa hos born of years.
Contrary to Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. Hnrd
was delicate. If she swept the house.
et,en she must buy bakers bread that
lay and lie down awhile in the after
aeon.
All night, brown and blue eyes haunt.
ed David's dreams. With the morning
came a determination to meet the
Blue eyes first.
He did. The acquaintance ripened
rapidly. 1t became courtship before
Mrs. Hurd realized it.
II love him, dear" she confided to
her friend 81 think was WRONG ahnui
second marriages; you see, woman
needs some one to lean on. am SC
tired standing alone
"You know best" Mrs. Vernon en
swered, kissing her fondly. II SOME
times think that way myself"
One evening David asked his sweet
heart to take him to call on Mrs. Yer
non. II hear she is the best house
keeper in Springfield" he said, thought
lessiy. Mrs. Hurd hastily wiped tn
dust from a chair.
Mrs. Vernon was delighted to Sc
them and insisted upon making lemon
ade and bringing out some cake. g
always have cake on hand" she ex
plain, when David compIimented it.
Mrs. Hurd picked at her dress mel
vously and choked on piece of fros,
ing. Twice David had taken tea at he
house and she had bought cake. Sh
felt her walls were falling, but she wa
toe just to blame her friend.
0si1g hane David had great del