Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-03-26


Susan I've decided not to 60 hlackber-
rying to-day" he said at last. Won't
she be overcome She said | oughtn't
to wear 'em =.
Then good-day, sir: ! am going
hlackberrying." and she was hurrying
on but he stopped her
Wont you tell me 10 whom am IN
lebted for this service" he asked ear
nestly.
The girl In collar and cuffs only
paused long enough to answer, oh.
Im-Sallie Sargent" and was gone.
Bless my soul. Frank Prescott be-
gan Aunt Susan, as an astonishing
vision dawned upon her. where have
you been: In one of them morasses.
I'll warrant. However did you get OUT"
oh. girl in collar and cuffs res
cued me. Does she always wear 'em.
Aunt Susan? And is she very strong
minded"
What do you mean: Always wear
what! Who: You are Il most provok
ing boy"
She gave the romantic appclation Of
Sallie Sargent. | believe
Always wear en-" she repeated in
scorn. "Of course not. suppose it
was her walking suit she had on to-
day. Sallic Sargent, indeed! call her
Sarah Jane
Yes, and who is She" he asked in
terestedly
shes Mrs. Jones' cousins girl from
Warminster. Mrs. Jones brought her
up. and she spends good many Of her
summers here. Hasn't been here.
though. for some time. But let Sarah
Jane rest and change your clothes. You
can talk about her some other time
The next evening Frank found it nee
cssary TO call on his fair prrscrv"r.
lie hardly recognized the mannish
maiden in the tall. somewhat stately
woman in ~ modiSh gown who greeted
they were soon talking like old friends.
She was bright. witty. accomplished,
and he went home to dream Of fair.
hooking face that lured him ever on
to--what: lie could moi tell.
lie soon became her devoted attend
ant, always riding. walking. driving to-
gethcr.
Frank" said Aunt Susan one day.
what about thai girl You used to write
to--that Irene: You showed me her
photograph once. and thought she was
nice looking. Where is she now
Frank blushed a little.
shes among her native hills with
her sister. ! believe" he answered.
well. YOU amt engaged to her.
SUPPOSE
NO. we're old friends. that's NIL.
Irene is like a sister to me-
Because" went on Aunt Susan plac
idly. IF you were engaged. she might
not want you flirting with Sarah Jane
Sargent. Sarah James smart woman.
and don't know any harm of her. Her
first husband"
First husband. Aunt Susan, what
do you mean"
WAS Mrs. Sargent? She married a man
who wasn't anything great, and left
him in year or two. Nobody blamed
her. She's rich enough now in her own
right to live independently. and NOW
she's II widow. She's had good offers
enough, but she seems to think mar
riage don't pay"
Aunt SuSan'S words gave Frank
much food for Thought. He did not at
tempt to disguise the fact that he loved
Sallic Sargent with a love such as he
had never felt for any woman before.
He had wished to be mauly in love. and
even as he wished his desire had been
granted And Ircne~-he thought little
renorsefuly OF her, for he felt sure
she loved him, and ne had always loved
her too-but this new passion left no
room for other affection-just then.
"Sallie," he said next day. us they
strolled idly down toward the beech
grove between the Jones farm and
Uncle Toms domains "do You know.
| never knew you were Mrs. Sargent
till last night: And l thought knew
YOU so we'll.
She smiled. Il little sadly perhaps. Il
supposed yon knew" she said. Il seem
Ia myself to he very old sometimes
Life isn't always measured ny wears.
you know hough. indeed. my years are
rot so few" she went on meditatively.
Anyway. Sallic he said. Won know
love You. and | want You TO marry
me. Will YOU
oh Frank. Believe me. apprcci-
ate the honor yon tlo me. but it
woulsln', do al MI. | am thirty years
old Don't look So surprised. know
look and act aS Il young woman. but
I'm thirty all the same. And you are
twenty-five. ! am fond OF my freedom
and live a life Of my own Yon find
me a pleasant compaiou for an autumn
vacation. but you don't want Ia marry
me, Frank
They had reached the grove and he
stopped suddenly and took her in his
arms. He kissed her once. twice. three
times. then released her
"Sallie." he said, you drive me wild !.