Democratic messenger., 1905-05-06
INDIAN
SUMMER
By KEITH GORDON
Copyright. 1905. by t. c. Mcclure

passed down the steps and out Into the
September sunshine formed vivid
background for the small, well set
head and a face which was at once hu-
morous and quiZzical. as IL the pageant
OF life had raised in her an eternal
question and an accompanying smile.
At the distance of a half block the
trim figure in its severe white pique
seemed all girl. A closer approach.
however. showed In the wavy dark
hair isolated silver threads-those out
riders of time which come to lay low
the loveliest
And. indeed, only a few days before
two placid matrons who had cast Off
their girlish slimness as a snake does
its skin and achieved In its place so
lidity and double chins might have
been heard discussing her case.
Strange that Elizabeth Ware doesn't
marry observed one. as with eyes
bent upon her embroidery hoop she
caused strange floral piece to bloom
upon piece OF white linen. shes
getting on. Let me see. She was in
the next class to me at Nine Dores
and Harold will be fourteen next Oc-
tober." Harold was her eldest child
one of those cantankerous pegs by
which matrons keep tab on the age of
their unmarried friends.
"She must be nearly thirty-five IL
she's a day." the speaker concluded
after a brief pause, In which she de-
bated with herself what would be the
proper shade of green to use for
maidenhair fern. Her time is grow
ing short"
Her companion. engaged I'm similar
employment. looked meditatively off
over the smooth shaven lawn which
seemed to share her own domestic
placidity.
'Thirty-four, Think" she announced
In voice whose preoccupation sug-
gested that she had been rummaging
in that prehistoric past which contain
ed neither husband nor babies. "Thir-
ty-four. I'm pretty sure. Still. she GER
tainly doesn't look 1t, and she's always
had plenty OF attention"
In the absorbing interest of the flow
ers they were fashioning the subject
was dropped. but the thought wave
then started reached Elizabeth Ware
herself later ON.
1t was wonderful day, full OF mel
low. mature. indescribable charm
Summer grows WISE" Elizabeth
thought to herself. mo longer dazzling
and shriveling. but flooding the world
with tender light. yelling its splendors
in mists"
The strong. white. ungloved hands
twirled the parasol thoughtfully while
their owner drew in a deep breath.
There was something in the day that
stirred memories. brought back half
forgotten fiirtations, filed her thoughts
with vague. beautiful regret-the loss
of something she had never known.
Somewhere about locust shrilled
its warning of the frosts to come.
Miss Wares eyes grew dreamy, pen
sive with that questioning Of the fu-
ture which will disturb the mind OF the
minated woman until the last fence is
reached.
Had she perchance made n mistake?
She thought of her school friends wrap
ped In northumberland flesh-who no
longer seemed contemporaries. They
had secured their matrimonial prizes
yes. and sat down by the roadside of
life. with no desire to fare further!
So far as she knew all were mildly
happy. But beside them she felt ride
ulously young and joyous. \ smile
touched her lips as she reflected that
@l,a
old, that she preferred to walk and
talk. rather than with Harold's plump
and settled mamma.
Then she reviewed the thirty-five
years that stretched behind her, fam
Ing like the tail Of a comet, with vari-
ETY., with pleasant wanderings, with an
ever changing group of men friends
who had added piquancy and deep
knowledge to her experience. Exchange
that long, beautiful experience. that
brilliant after glow of youth which had
kept her radiant and alert, for the calm
happiness of her married friends?
Never.
Just as she reached this energetic
negative the approaching figure of n
man held her idle gaze. AS he came
nearer a smile of pleased recognition
lighted her face. She could scarcely be
ieve her eyes-Fcrgus Blynn. lined
and his meaning deepened by his ten
years Of absence. but still undeniably
Fergus.
Before the gladness of the surprise
died out of her eyes he had seen her
and they were wringlng each others
hands in smiling delight
'The same old Elizabeth" he said
warmly and yet with little wonder
In his voice, which made her feel like
an anomaly. you used to he about
my age; but. great Scott. you might
almost pass for my daughter now.
How do you manage IL. and who's the
happy manT'
He was walking beside her. and Eliz-
abeth turned her face to him inquiring
ly. Then II dawned upon her. and she
voiced rather superior OH before
she proceeded to explain that her life
n