The Meeker herald., 1905-12-09

~ AakSe AAuA NihAVu ~ COs NC
fates were In the form Of
~0s( IN eccentric aunt, who left
a large estate to David on
the condition that he marry one-nny
one-of springfield's fair daughters.
AT first David had rebelied. He said
he would never step foot in the pokey
little village. Then he concluded to
spend the summer there.
Sitting on the hotel porch he espied
vision in frIlls and rufiies. "Who ia
thatf" he asked the clerk, interested at
once. And who wouldn't have been
For the lady was dressed in the dnin-
tlest of white lawns. and wore a big
picture hat. from under the brim of
which she glanced almost mischievous-
~ at him.
"Ob, that Is Mrs. Vernon" was the
answer. The clerk lifted Ills hat In re-
spOnse to bewilderlng smile of greet
ing.
Hang 1t all-' David thought. 81
never did see a woman I could love
that wasn't already married" He ate
his 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 nt-
tention was arrested by the sight Of
another charmInsi young woman. In
stantly he forgot about the picture hat
The 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
David'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. "Uncommoniy ugly and
dowdy," David thought. bitterly.
Our girls aren't much, but our wild
ows are our PRIDE" the garrulous
clerk volunteered.
and who are the widows:" David
asked, YEARLY.
'Mrs. Vernon and Mrs. Hurd.." came
the answer.
"Hurray.- David exclaimed. ga
beautiful sunset. am very enthusias-
tic about sunsets" The clerk looked
puzzled.
1t was aii matter of taste which
was the prettier. Both were charming
each In her own particular wy. But 1t
must not be imagined the ladies' were
at all alike.
Mrs. Vernon WAS plump, inclined to
stOutness, with rosy cheeks, brown
hair and sparkling eyes. She was from
a hardy German stock and rose at 4
in the morning to accomplish n big
days work, II the occasion demanded
st. No matter how hard she worked
her eyes lost none of their luster nor
her smile Its brilIiaucy.
Mrs. Hurd was petite, decidedly
small, in fact. with yellow hair and
great blue eyes-eyes as innocent as n
child's, but full of pathos born of years.
Contrary to Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. Hurd
was delicate. II she swept the house.
then she must buy bakers bread that
day and lie down awhile iii the after
noon.
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 rfpened
rapidly. IL became cOurtship before
Mrs. Hurd realized it.
II love him, dear" she confided to
her friend. 81 think 1 was wrong about
second marriages; you see, a woman
needs some one to lean on. am 70
tired standing alone"
you know best" Mrs. Vernon an
swered. kissing her fondly. 81 GONE
times think that way myself" -
One evening David asked his sweet
heart to take him to call on Mrs. Yer
non. Il hear she is the best house
keeper in Springfield" he said, thought
lessly. 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. II
always have cake on hand" she ex-
plain. when David complimented 1t.
Mrs. Hurd picked ut her dress ner-
vously and choked on piece of frost
ing. Twice David had taken tea at her
house and she had bought cake. She
felt her walls were falling. but she was
TOO just to blame her friecd.
GeiDg home David had = great deal