The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-24
W'INIFRED'S BEST YEARS.

Copyrighted, 1907, by E. c. Parsells.
Winifred Lane and Josiah Dent had
been lovers since their A B days.
For seventeen years now she had worn
the ring he had sold his first colt to
buy. Together they had stood up"
for her brother Dick and Eliza at Dicks
first wedding, while all the assembled
company commented upon them and
looked forward to another wedding.
Her fathers falling health had
brought the first postponement; then
Dick came home widower and his
delicate baby became Aunt Winnies"
charge. Dicks second marriage had
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 it all Josiah had waited pa
tiently, declaring always when Winifred
offered him his release that there was
out 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 he hers.
The patiently awaited day seemed
near at hand on this dull November
after noon. Richard Lane had unex-
pectedly appeared at his sisters home
accompanied by his third wife. and
without unnecessary delay had taken
his children to the western town in
which he was located.
Miss Lane stood on the front veran-
da 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 it was. The children's
voices seemed to echo through the emp
~ rooms, Winifreds eyes filled with
scalding tears.
Yes" she said in a 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 tonight.
! I'd better tidy up
Miss Lane lit the parlor lamp and at
| ;er a little hesitation pinned on her
best lace collar It'll do no harm
! even If nobody comes, she argued to
i herself.
But the clock struck eight and nine
and no one came. He hasn't heard
yet" she argued to herself as she went
to bed
The vigrl was repeated the next even
/ lilS anu NIle next w lhlITeu DeCdW6
| perpleXed
When Dick married his second, JOS
| iah was here before tea time" she
reflected. But 1 won't begin to wor-
ry until Sunday she sensibly determn-
ed 'Josiahll 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
evening service attired In the neat gray
dress and bonnet which had been pur-
chased for her brothers second we'd
ding, twelve years ago. Feeling lone
". she gladly accepted the invitation
from the minister's wife to a seat in
the front pew She could not see JOS
idh. hut she felt his presence two pews
behind and bis deep voice in the hymns
sent thrills of pride through her Low.
ing heart.
With pardonable coquetry she linger-
ed little going out casual glance
through the open door assured her that
he was waiting in the entry as of old
She had nearly reached him; in anoth-
er minute she would have slipped her
hand within his arm with the fond as
.urance of ownership-when a blonde
head, surmounted by a bright red tur-
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 gaz-
ed long and thoughtfully at the reflec-
ton within. comparing it with the