The Washington herald., 1907-05-22

minute she would have slipped her hand
within his arm with the fond assurance OF
Ownership-whel a blonde head. sur
mounted by a bright red turban. came be-
tween them. and Josiah went down the
steps with pretty Nettie Searles clInginy
Go his arm.
Miss Lane walked home through the
starlight alone Lighting the lamp. She
went directly % a mirror and gdzed long
and thoughtfully at the reflection with
In, comparing it with the girlish pretri-
ness Of the face beneath the red turbau
The glass refused 10 fiatter The angular
form. the c1rsworn. brown. and hollow
cheeks. the lines about the patient mouth
all spoke ot burdens borne and labor ac-
complshed
1T isn't 10 be wondered at" Winifre5
said with a sigh, as she stirred the low
fire and settled down to retrospectiou
and consideration
Ny best years have gone. and I've got
dull and uninterestin' In an this time"
Her first thought was one of renuuc.a-
tor The freedom she had offered I'm
years gone by she would freely give now.
But s,e thought of the future. and hesI-
hfAt 't -Nih 'tl tI'i Wv 70 ItIlt-E---t.tl tLtifl
been put entirely out of the question
from the first. But as she remembered
tales II Mrs Searles' housekeeping and
the fippant remarks she had heard from
Nettie's lips she felt suddenly impellod
TO warfare on Josiahs behalf
Rcd cheeks and dimples can't insure
a comfortable home" Miss Lane decided.
sagely. IF il was any nice girl that's
been well brought up l wouldn't hesitate
minute but all Bloomville knows
that Nettie's reputation for drassing ana
flirting far outdoes her skill in house
keeping. I've no right 20 shrink from
trying to save Josiah from a miserable
home. His one hope is in my holdin him
fast 20 our engagement, and talk or no
talk, I'm going TO do #.
IN spend the winter with Cousin
Emma" she decided. There amt soul
in Bloomyille knows her address. Dick
says she don't look within a dozen years
as old as ! do, and she's a year older
She always was real tasty. Maybe l can
pick up a few hints from her. Looks
and dresses and general up-to-dateness
makes lots Of difference 70 "A man"
All the next day she t0iled steadily.
setting her house in order And Tuesday
morning while waiting for the express
man. she penned a note TO her recreaut
lover.
Dearest Josiah: I write to inform YOU
that / am well. and expect To spend this
winter in the city ! leave to-day. so I
shall not have the pleasure of seeing you
before | go. But you will be constantly
in my thoughts and your ring, as always.
will be my reminder Of our enlightenment
Yours until death.
"Winifred.'
1t will show him that I'm holdin him
fast, meditated Miss Lane as the train
sped cityward And as / didn't give any
address, he won't know where TO write
He isn't one TO go very far with that
Searless girl until he breaks with me.
And he can't break with me until he finds
out where 10 send a letter
BloomviIle was golden with dandelions
and white with apple blossoms when Win
fired Lane came home to her own Not
a soul knows I've come she reflected as
she unpacked the new trunk. She sighed
suddenly. Well by tomorrow / shall
know. He's had the winter to consider in, /
and if he's still set upon it I'll give him
up"
Josiah Dent came up the church steps
with look Of discomfort upon his comely
face. In the months that had passed