The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-24
The EVENING STORY
Winifred's Best Years.
By Anne Heilman.l


Winifred Lane and Josiah Dent had
been lovers since their A B c 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 COM
Forward to another wedding.
Her fathers failing health had
brought the first postponement; then
DICK came home widower and his deli
cate baby became Aunt Winnie's"
charge. Dicks second marriage had
pecca declined to live on the farm, and
DICK bought 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 ex-
tended 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 Winffred had settled down to
cheerful performance of daily duty,
frightened by the some day that would
yet be here.
The patiently awaited day seemed
ternoon. Richard Lane had unexpect-
edly appeared at his sisters home &C
companied by his third wife, and with
o.: 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 notion
this will last she said aloud as she
went slowly indoors.
How still it was. The children's voices
seemed to echo through the empty
rooms. Winifreds eyes filed with
scalding tears.
YES she said in a tone which held
both regret, and relief, they've gone for
good and 1 s'pose I'm free at last. OF
course he'll hear" she continued pres
entity, maybe he'll be over tonight. I'd
better tidy up"
Miss Lane lit the parlor lamp and af
ter 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 eight and nine
and no one came. HE hasn't heard
yet" she assured herself as she went
to bed.
The vigil was repeated the next
evening and the next. Winifred be-
came perplexed.
when Dick married his second.
Josiah was here before tea time" she
until Sunday" she sensibly deter
"Josiah'H 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
purchased for her brothers second
twelve years ago. Feeling
lonely, she gladly accepted an invita-
IA q TO a
in the front pew. She could not see
Josiah, but she felt his pesence two
pews behind. and his deep voice in the
hymns sent thrills of pride to her low
Ing heart. ---, e.. s-ls .s.- -alytr
with pardonabIe coquetry she
fingered a 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
with assurance of ownership-when a
blonde 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
the reflection within. comparing it
with the girlish prettiness of the face
beneath the red turban. The glass re-
fused to fiatter. The angular form,
the careworn brown and hollow
Aheeks, the lines about the patient
mouth all spoke of burdens born and
abor accomplished.
''It isn't to be wondered att Wini-
fred said with a sigh as she stirred the
ow 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 renunci-
ation 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 re-
rendered tales of Mrs. Searies' house
keeping and the f1ippant remarks she
lad heard from Nettie's lips she felt
impelled to warfare on Jo-
;iah's behalf.
sRed cheeks and dimples can't in
sure a comfortable home" Miss Lane |
decided sagely. 'If~it was any nice girl |
hats been we'll brought up I wouldn't |
Inows that Nettie's reputation for |
iressing and flirting far outdoes her |
kill in housekeeping. I've no right to |
brink from trying to save Josiah from |
miserable home. His one hope Is in |
nv holdin' him fast to our engagement, |
md talk or no talk, I'm going to do /
t."
"I'n spend the winter with Cousin
she decided. There amt a |
oul in Bloomville knows her address. /
Dick says she don't look within dozen |
ears as old as 1 do, and she's a year
lder. She always was real tasty /
davbe I can pick up few hints from /
Ier. Looks and dresses and general |
makes lots of difference /
o a man.
All the next day she toiled steadily, /
citing her house in order. And Tues |
Iav morning while waiting for the ex-
FRESHMAN she penned note to her /
ecreant lover.
"Dearest Josiah: I write to inform
-o,1 that I am well and expect to spend |
his winter in the city. 1 leave today,
O / shall not have the pleasure of see /
y L Elnr4 L