The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-11-27
"A SHIFT OF THE WIND.
- ~ y

The small desk from which Pauline
pushed away her chair seemed a liv-
ing menace to her distracted mind.
An hour before she had seated her
self with a brave resolution TO
straighten matter, and now after the
worrying hour, heartsick and hopeless
over the result, the woman stared in
despairing wonder. What should she
do?
There lay her little bank book, the
pile of neatly arranged bills, her
check book, three letters from insist
ent collection lawyers and, most dire
full Of all, writ of attachment placed
in her hands that very morning by a
polite man who wore brass buttons on
his vest. This man had surveyed her
surprise with an air of benevolent
suspicion.
The emptied pigeonholes appeared
to glare at her like eyes OF reproach;.
also the red figures in her recently
balanced bank book, indicating a sad
overdraft. The bank had q dreadful
way of accounting for its errors and
invariably put her in the wrong. She
would not ga to the bank. There was
only one thing to do.
Opening a drawer Pauline drew out
photograph, gazed at it. moaned like
hurt creature and finally, with
smarting eyes, began to tear the card.
Her fingers trembled. She could not
see for tears.
4 can't" she whispered, dropping
the picture. HE is only a memory
now, but can't destroy it. When |
am Mrs. Winch John-oh!7
Her maid was answering the door
bells clear peal. Pauline's fingers
were quick with handkerchief and
hair. What on earth did Carson
Winch want at this time of day?
I'm in the library, Matte she
called, a bit amazed at her steadi-
ness.
TITS Mr.. Winch, ma'am," pushing
aside the portieres.
"WeN, show him in here, thought
it sounded like Mr., Winch. Is he
alone
mo, ma'am. Another gentleman is
with him."
"All right, I'll see them" She
pushed the telltale books and papers
| in heap and rose to draw curtain
for softer light Pauline was nearly
twenty-eight and showed it in the sun.
! The men came In smiling.
'Pve brought Dean Wickham to see
you, Miss Allard," said Mr.. Winch.
you've heard me speak OF him.
.'Oh, yes, am very glad to meet
Mr.. Wickham" Pauline's hand went
out cordially to grasp the clutch OF
bronzed, bearded. thick set man,
who regarded her admiringly.
"Sit down and get acquainted, you
two" said Winch. Il can't stay I'll
get around again before noon and car
ry him off, Pauline"
There was that in his tone sugges-
! tive of proprietorship and familiarity
| which grated on Pauline's nerves. 1t
was new note, something more than
usual, and the woman felt pang of
resentment. Carson should wait a
little longer to pay for that.
Pauline had been quite all winter
and spring. The money left by her
aunt must be about dissapated, Mr..
Winch thought Pauline had lived on
legacies with small doubt of more
coming at opportune times Some
thing always turned up.
Her disregard Of consequences
could lead to but one end. Her SER
wants had indignant noses. Winch
heard rumors and chuckled gooN nat
uredly. Pauline was superior WON
an. He wanted her and meant to get
her. 1t was merely question of pa
thence. Lately his reward seemed III
his hand. Pauline's negatives lacked
the true ring.
After his CHEEKY departure the host
ess talked brightly to Wickham and
soon had the stranger recounting bits
of his history. She liked the man
There was a fine streak of simplicity
In his direct. crisp manner.