Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-07-02
LOVE VERSUS 5
 R ROMANCE.

1 twenty years before, and when she
 married another man the discarded lover was heartbroken. He did not re.
 turn her picture and had kept it by
 him ever since. At the time she tilted him he was an uncOuth farmers boy. 1 while she was the belle of the village | That village had grown to be a town, | and he was now its most prominent ! merchant. She had moved with her husband to another state. She had married a farmer, and he
 was obliged to drive dozen miles from the station to reach her home. He wondered if she would know him. It was not likely, for she had not seen him since she had married. He would
 the fact that we know that our friends change, we see them in the minds eye as when we saw them last. Coming to a snug farm with neat house and ample barns on it, he pulled up before the gate. At the same moment a trim looking woman came to the door.
 "Tm looking for the Widow Torrey," he said Gan you tell me where her farm lies?'
 Tt lies right here.'
 Are you Mrs. Torrey?"
 "Yes.''
 She had changed. but did not look so much older as might have been ex pected. She was still fine looking woman, apparently about forty-two. He looked at her admiringly, his only disappointment being that she so little resembled her old self. He made up his mind not to declare himself at once.
 i've heard, Mrs. Torrey. that since your husbands death you might con clude to sell your farm"
 He had heard nothing of the kind. He wished to give an excuse for his coming.
 ''Ill sell anything I've got if can get my price for it. Won't you tie your horse and come in?"
 He tied his horse and went into the house. Everything looked spick and span. A little girl of four, the image of her mother, was the only other vis ible occupant of the house. Mrs. Tor rey motioned to a rocking chair and seated herself on sofa. After little talk about the sale of the farm he got up and took seat on the other end of the sofa.
 "You don't remember me- he said.
 She looked up at him, surprised and curious
 ''I'm an old lover of yours" he added.
 She scrutinized every line of his face, but failed to recall it.
 "As soon as I heard of your hus- bands death I started to find you. don't want to buy your farm. but want you to sell it and come and live with me. I want to be a devoted hus- band and father to your little girl"
 Are you Sam Turner:" she asked
 sam Turner? No. I'm Enoch Weath- erby."
 She shook her head. Sam Turner's the only lover I ever had before I was married, and I never heard of Enoch Weatherby.''
 Weren't you Ellen Stevens:'
 A new light came into her eyes, She burst into laugh. "Ellen Stevens and up the road.'
 Enoch Weatherby was much discom- fited. There seemed nothing for him to do but retire from the scene of his bIunder. He arose, bade the widow goodby, unhitched his horse and drove away. He inquired along the route for Mrs. Torrey-the other Mrs. Torrey-- and presently was directed to the farm where she lived. A woman apparently old enough to be his mother came to the door. followed by half dozen noisy children, whom she was scoId- ing in rasping voice.
 I'm looking for the Widow Torrey.' he said
 I'm the Widow Torrey.'
 Was your name Stevens before you were married:"
 Yes; I was Ellen Stevens"
 "H'm: There was pause. "ive heard that since your husband died you might like to sell your farm.''
 Well, I reckon I'd sell it if l could ecL chOuSu LOT II.
 She invited him in and told him all about her farm, the buildings on it, the stock and farming tools. She of fered to show it to him, but he said he would not have time then, but might call again. Then he took his departure without declaring himself The dream of twenty years was shattered.
 He drove back to the other Widow Torrey and told her his story, asking her to keep his secret. Naturally she sympathizcd with her sisterin-law, but had not this nice, prosperous look ing man been ready, supposing her to be his old love, to give her that love and protection she so much missed? She gave the desired promise.
 In few days her little girl received a big doll with eyes to open and shut, and soon after the mother unpacked handsome inlaid book rack for her par Tor table. The next thing that came was the donor, Enoch Weatherby, who again offered to take the widow and the little girl under his protection. Mrs. Torrey still had uualms of con-