The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-07-09
NIinifred'S
w Best Years.
By ANNE HEILMAN.
Copvriohtad ION hv n n paroaIIs
Copyrighted. 1907. by e. c. PARCELS.

| CudTBe. LICK 8 second marriage QdQ
brought a CLEAN Of hope But Julia
Rebecca declined to live on the farm.
and Dick bought a place In another
town, leaving to his sister the care Of
her mother and the farm. Six years
later Mother Lane and Julia Rebecca
had both died In the same week, and
Dick, cheerfully consigning his orphan
brood to his sisters care, had taken an
extended trip west.
Through 1t 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 Winifred had settled down to
cheerful performance of daily duty,
frightened by the "some day" that
would yet be hers.
The patiently awaited day seemed
near at hand on this dull November
afternoon. Richard Lane had unex-
pectedly appeared at 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 a no
ton this will last" she said aloud as
she went slowly indoors
How still 1t was! The childrens
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" she 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 If nobody comes" she argued to
herself.
But the clock struck 8 and 8, and no
one came. HE hasn't heard yet" she
assured herself as she went to bed.
The vigil was repeated the next even
ing and the next. Winifred became
perplexed.
siah was here before tea time," she
reflected. "But won't begin to worry
until Sunday" she sensibly determin-
ed Josiah ii be at church, and he'll
hear about Dick"
Sunday was ushered In with a driz-
cling rain. but in the afternoon the sun
shone bravely. Miss Lane went to
L..
gray dress and bonnet which had been
purchased for her brothers second
wedding, twelve years ago. Feeling
lonely, she gladly accepted an invita-
ton from the minister's wife to a seat
In the front pew. She could not see
Josiah, but she felt his presence two
pews behind, and his deep voice in the
hymns sent thrills Of pride to her low
ing heart.
With pardonable coquetry, she lin
gered little going out. A casual
glance through the open door assured
her that he was waiting In the entry
as Of old. She had nearly reached
him. In another minute she would
have slipped her hand within his arm
when a blond head, surmounted by a
bright red turban, came between them,
and Josiah went down the steps with
pretty Nettie Searles clinging to his
arm.
Miss Lane walked home through the
starlight alone. Lighting the lamp,
she went directly to a mirror and
4 A,,I1.
fection within, comparing It with the
girlish prettiness of the face beneath
the red turban. The glass refused to
fatter. The angular form, the care
worn brow and hollow cheeks, the
lines about the patient mouth, all spoke
of burdens borne and labor accom-
plished
at isn't to be wondered at" Wini-
fred said, with a 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 uninterestin' 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 hesitated. Not on her own behalf
self had been put entirely out Of the
question from the first. But as she
remembered tales Of Mrs. Searles'
housekeeping and the fippant remarks
she had heard from Nettie's lips she
felt suddenly impelled to warfare on
Josiah's behalf.
Red cheeks and dimples can't in
sure q comfortable home" Miss Lane
decided sagely. IF it was any nice
girl that's been we'll brought up I
wouldn't hesitate a minute. But all
Bloomville knows that Nettie's reputa-
ton for dressing and flirting far out
does 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 engagement, and, talk or no talk,
I'm going to do 1t.
"I'll spend the winter with Cousin
Emma" she decided. There aanT Z
soul In Bloomville knows her address.
Dick says she don't look within
dozen years as old as 1 do, and she's a
year older. She always was real tasty.
Maybe l can pick up 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
recreant lover:
Dearest JOSIAH write to inform you
that am well and expect to spend this
winter in the city. leave today. 30 I
shall not have the pleasure of seeing you
before / go. But you will be constantly
in my thoughts, and your ring. always,
will be my reminder OF our engagement
Yours until DEATH WIN1FRED.
1T will show him that I'm holdin'
him fast" meditated Miss Lane as the
train sped cityward. "And as l didn't
give any address, he won't know where
to write He isn't one to go very far
with that Searles girl until he breaks
with me- And he can't break with me
until he finds out where to send let
ter"
Bloomville was golden with dande-
lions and white with apple blossoms
when Winifred 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 I shall know. He's had
the winter to consider In, and If he's
still set upon 1t I'll give him up"