The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-24

girlish prettiness of the face beneath
the red turban. The glass refused to
flatter. The angular form, the care
worn brown and hollow cheeks. the
lines about the patient mouth all
spoke of burdens born and labor ac-
complished.
"It isn't to be wondered at" winifred
said with a sigh as she stirred the low
fire and settled down tc retrospectton
and consideration.
MY best years have gone and I've
got dull and uninterestin' in all this
time"
Her first thought was one of re-
nunciation. The freedom she had Of
fered in years gone by she would freely
give now. But she thought of the
future and hesitated. Not on her own
behalf-self had been put entirely ont
of the question from the first. But
as she remembered tales of Mrs. Scar
less housekeeping and the flippeant
remarks she had heard from Nettie's
lips she felt suddenly impelled to
warfare on Josiah's behalf.
RED cheeks and dimples can't insure
a comfortable home" Miss Lane decid-
ed sagely. IF it was any nice girl
that's been well brought up I wouldn't
hesitate a minute. But all Bloomville
knows that Nettie's reputation for dres-
sing and flirting far outdoes her skill
in housekeeping. I've no right to
shrink from trying to save Josiah from
a miserable home. His one hope is in
my holdin' him fast to our engage
ment, and talk or no talk, I'm going
to do It"
I'll spend the winter with cousin
Emma" she decided. There amt
soul in Bloomville knows her address
Dick says she don't look within a
dozen years as old as I do,and she's
year older. She always was real tasty.
Maybe can pick up a few hints from
her. Looks and dresses and general
up-to dateness makes lots of difference
to a man."
All the next day she toiled steadily,
setting her house In order. And Tues
day morning while waiting for the ex-
pressman she penned a note to her
receant lover.
Dearest Josiah: I write to inform
you that l 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 1 go. But you will
be constantly in my thoughts and your
ring. as always, will be my reminder
of our engagement. Yours, until death,
"Winifred."
ct will show him that I'm holdin'
him fast meditated Miss Lane as the
train sped cityward. And as I didn't
give any address. he won't know where
to write. He isn't one to go very far
with that Scarles's girl until he breaks
with me. And he can't break with me
until he finds out where to send
letter"
Bloomville was golden with dandel-
ious and white with apple blossoms
when Winifred Lane came home to her
own. Not a soul knows I've come,
she reflected she unpacked the new
trunk. She sighed suddenly. We'll, by
to morrow 1 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 a look of discomfort upon his
comely face. In the months that had
passed since Winfred's disappearance
he had nursed a growing sense of in
jury.
e 'Tain't fair" he complained. keep
ing a fellow on the fence so. Her best
years have been spent for Dick anyhow
and a woman ages Eastern a man. If
she'd given me her address. I'd have
settled it months ago"
Josiah went up the aisle to his own
pew. Above the high back of the min
ister's pew there arose a white sailor
hat, swathed with an airy muslin
scarf Beneath 1t, soft waves of curling
hair rippled across brow from which
smoothed away.
Josiah, watching with some curiosity
until she turned her head slightly,
caught the clear profile and noted the
soft solor in her cheeks. 1t was
Winifred, All at once there dawned
upon him the truth that immortal
youth is not at the mercy of added
years, and that better than the pas
sing beauty of girlhood is that wom-
anliness which shall outlast the ages.
I'm glad I didn't know where to
write" thought Josiah. with sense of
narrow escape and a growing feeling of
anxiety
Winifred was unaware of his presence
until she heard his voice in the closing
hymn. AS the last notes ceased. she
turned to him. smiling straight up in
to his anxious face.
We'll. JOSIAH" she said.
And Josiah wondered why he had not
known before that raiment. whether it
he the unbecoming gray of past years
or the crisp muslin that seemed to
give back to him the love of his early
years, was not worthy of a passing
thought. 1t was the old Winifred who
smiled up at him out of those clear
eyes. Nettie Searles and the throng
about them were alike forgotten. He
only thought of the woman before him
and all Bloomville had its answer to
n long winter of speculation and com
ment. as he stopped to kiss her in the
crowded church. Winifred Lanes best
wears were vet to come