Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-07-07
XX1iflifred's
w Best Years.
By ANNE HEILMAN.
Copyrighted. 1907. by E. C. PARCELS.

Wlnifred Lane and Josiah Dent had
been lovers since their 4 3 days.
For seventeen years now she had worn
buy. Together they had stood up" for
her brother Dick and Eliza ut Dicks
first wedding while all the assembled
company commented upon them and
looked forward to another wedding.
Her fathers failing health had
brought the first postponcment. Then
Dick came home Il widower and his
delicate baby became Aunt Winnie's"
charge. Dicks second marriage had
brought glcam OF hope. But Julia
Rebecca declined to live on the farm.
and Dick bought Il place in another
town, leaving to his sister The care OF
her mother and the farm. Six years
later Mother Lane and Julia Rcbecca
had both died In the same week, and
Dick chcerfully consignng his orphan
brood to his sisters care, had taken an
extended trip west
Through it all Josiah had waited pa
tiently, declaring always when Wini-
fred offered him his release that there
was but one woman IN the world for
him, and Winifrcd had settled down to
cheerful performance of daily duty,
frightened by the "somc day" that
would yet be hers.
The patiently awaited day seemed
near at hand OH this dull November
afternoon. Richard Lane had uncx-
pectedly appeared Mt his sisters home
accompanied by his third wife, and
without any unnecessary delay had
taken his children to the western town
in which he was located.
Miss Lane stood on the front veranda
and watched the loaded wagon drive
away. 'Dick hasn't had any kind OF
luck with wives SO far, but I've no
ton this will last" she said aloud as
she went slowly indoors.
How still it was! The chidrcn's
voices seemed to echo through the
empty rooms. Winifred's eyes filed
with scalding tears.
Yes" she said in tone which held
both regret and relief, they're gone
for good, and s'pose I'm free at last.
OF course he'll hear" sho continued
presently. Maybe he'll be over to-
night I'd better tidy up"
Miss Lane lit the parlor lamp and.
after little hesitation, pinned on her
best lace collar. It'll do no harm
even ii nobody comes" she argued to
herself
But the clock struck and 0. and no
one came. HE hasn't heard yet" she
assured herself as she went to bed
The vigil MAS repeated the next even
ing and the next. Winifred became
perplexed.
when Dick married his second, Jo-
siah was here before tea time" she
reflected. but won't begin to worry
until Sunday" she scnsibly dctermin.
ed. Josiah III be at church, and he'll
hear about Dick"
Sunday was ushcred in with Il driz-
zling rain, but In the afternoon the sun
shonc 'bravely Miss Lane went to
evening service attred in the neat
gray dress and bonnet which had been
purchased for her brothers second
wedding, twelve years ago. Feeling
lonely, she gladly accepted an invita-
tlon from the minister's wife to seat
in the front pew. She could not see
Josiah, but she felt his presence two
pews behind, and his deep voice III the
hymns sent thrills of pride to her low
ing heart.
With pardonable coquetry, she lin
gered n little going out. 4 casual
glance through the open door assured
her that he was waiting in the entry
ms of old. She had nearly reached
him. In another minute she would
have slipped her hand within his arm
with the fond assurance Of ownership
when Il blond head. surmountcd by n
bright red turban, came between them,
p>nd Josiah went down the steps with
pretty Nettle Scarles cllnging to his
arm.
Miss Lane walked home through the
starlight alone. Lighting the lamp.
she went directly to mirror and
gazed long and thoughtfully at the re-
Election within, comparing 1t with the
girlish prcttness of the face beneath
the red turban. The gluss refused to
flatter. The angular form, The care
worn brow and hollow checks, the
lines about the patient mouth, all spoke
OF burdens borne and labor accom-
plishcd
1T isn't to be wondered at" Wini-
fred said with n sigh. as she stirred
the low fire and settled down to retro.
spection and consideration.
MY best years have gone and I've
got dull and unintcrcstin' in all this
time"
Her first thought was one of renun-
citation. The freedom she had offered
in years gone by she would freely give
now. But she thought of the future
and hesituted. Not on her own behalf
self had been put entirely out of the
question from the first. But as she