The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-12-07

1oN an eccentric aant, VINO ieIt
large estate 10 David on
the condition tha: lie marry one-any
once Springfieid's fair daughters.
At first David had rebeiled. He said
he would never step foot in the pokey
little village" Then he concluded to
spend the summer there.
Sitting oil lie hotel porch hc espied
a vision in frills and ruffies. WHO is
that" lie asked the clerk, Interested at
once. And who wouldn't have been:
For the lady was dressed in the dain
tiest OF white k,wns. aud wore 4 BIZ
picture hat. from under the brim OF
which she glanced almost mischievous-
1y ct him.
"oh. that is Mrs. Vernon" was the
answer. Tile clerk lifted HIS hat in re-
sponse-to i bewilderins smile of greet
ing.
Hang it all"' David thought. Il
never did see woman l could love
that wasn't already married" He ate
his supper With relish. thinking all The
while of the fact that be never saw an
attractive single girl in his life.
Geiliss Sort on the porch again. his at-
tention was arrested by the sight of
auother charming young woman. III
stantly he forgot about the picture hat
--he looked fair and square and WAY
$ deep into pair of the terdercst blue
eyes imaginable.
=. ..Who is that:' he asked quickly.
"Why. that's Mrs. Hurd." Again
.David's heart sank He wondered why
sAlarried. women were allowed TO 90
around loose in pink airy gowns and
osoft lace.
= -Four different girls passed during the
eyeninS. "Uncommonly ugly and
dowdy;" David thought. bitterly,
"our girls aren't much. but our wild
jows are our pride" the sarrulcus
scierk volunteered.
"-And who are the Widows" David
asked. wearily.
"Mrs. Vernon and Mrs. Hurd," came
the answers
.:Hurray" David exclaimed. "a
beautiful sunset. l am very enthusias-
dix about sunsets" The clerk looked
puzzled.
y II was all matter of taste which
WAS the prettler, Both were charming
each in her own particular wy. But il
must not be ina agined the ladies were
at ali alike.
Mrs. Vernon was plump. inclined to
-stoutneSs, with rosy checks. brown
hair and sparkling eyes. She was from
a hardy German stock and rose at
in the morning to accomplish a big
days work. if the occasion demanded
1T. No matter how hard she worked
! her eyes lost none of their luster nor
her smile its brilliancy.
= Mrs. Hurd was petite. decidedly
small, in fact, With yellow hair and
great blue eyes-eyes as innocent rs
ehild's, but full Of pathos born of yeafs,
Contrary to Mrs. Vernon. Mrs. Inrd
was delicate. IL she swept the house.
then she must buy bakers bread that
day ard lie down awhile in the after
noon.
Al. night, brown and blue eyes haunt
ed David's dreams. With the morning
came determination to meet tie
blue eyes first.
He did. The acquaintance ripehed
rapidly. 1t became a courtship before
AIRS. Hprd realized it.
Il love him. dear" she confided to
her friend Il think was wrong about
second marriages; you see. woman
needs some one to lean Oh. | am so
tired standing alone
"You know best Mrs. Vernon an
swered. kissing her fondly. Il some
times think that way myself"
One evening David asked his sweet
: heart TO take him 10 call on Mrs. Yer
non. Il hear she IS the best house
keeper in Springfield" he said, thought
Iessiy. Mrs. Hurd hastily wiped the
dust from chair.
Mrs. Vernon was delighted to see
them and insisted upon. making lemon
ade and bringing out some cake. Il
. ALWAYS have cake Oh hand. she eN-
plain. when David complimented 1t.
Mrs. Hurd picked at her dress ner-
vonsly and ciloked on piece of FROST
ing. Twice David had taken tea at her
house cd she had bought cake. She
felt herA lis we're falling. but sine was
toa - 20 blame her friend.
Going home David had great deal
to say about how nice everything
looked al Mrs. EerGons.
Next morning Mrs. Hurd rose very
earS and gave the house thorough
Cleaning from top to bottom. When
David came 1T 10 o'clock for her 10 go
driving she could scarcely meve. Her
eres had dark rings under them. and
fi,e corners of her mouth dropped pitt
fuliy.. II cannot so. David she said.
vistfuily. Seeing his disappointment,
she added: why moi ask MIS-. Yeruon
this mornhlg:2
i z All right. fsetiiA @he aii-- an
sweyed. Lr:ghk illopet.
'ae would say mo-