The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-12-09
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Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press

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The judge fingered the dainty note
rehectivcly. narrowed his keen gray /
eyes. breathed Il little faster star
tied himself by hlnshing. Yet the con-
tents of the misslve were very simple,
very commonplace and ran ms follows
Pecan Grove, Oct. 20
My Dear Judge BILLY is very anxious
TO have you run down for the week end
and has asked me 80 write and urge YOU
TO come
There Ii TO be quite "A jolly crowd--about
u dozen of us-and We are going tn wind
up with big halloween ball Saturday
evening. the 3ist
Come and learn who liz to be your fu.
ture wife. With best wishes.
DIANA LANDS
Judge Underwood was abruptly con
scious of a vain and frivolous desire
To he young again. He even took out
his pocket mirror and studied his re-
Election critically, noting the little fur
rows between his straight black
brows with an apprehcnsIve heart
Would Miss lands have written so
cordially had she dreamed of the reek
loss tide of emotions surglng within
him nj the bare sight of her well re-
mcmbered little scrawl? Would she
have written nj all? He thought not.
for Diam was but nineteen, and he
WIS lowering very close to forty,
Ten years ago he had taught her the
three RS In the village school ut Pecan
Grove. and five years ago she had been
the first To discover the half dozen sill
YER hairs that had since grown Into
the little tuft of gray above his left
temple
sim, he could no more control the
feelings that obsesscd him than he
could clip Off the years that stood he
tween him and his hearts desire, 50
with mn impulsiye hand he seized a
pen from the rack and dashed down
his answer,
New York. Oct. ~
pear Miss Landls Your kind invitation
reaches me nj "A most opportune time. and
You may be sure | shall enjoy taking n
week OF down at the Grove.
The prospect of finding life partner
appeals to me almost as much az the an
tcipaton of the visit as | am beginning
Yours. H. II. UNDERWOOD.
As soon ns he had dispatched his let.
ter the Judge thrust aside the clamor.
Ing pile OF briefs ON his desk, picked
up his hut and hurried down 10 his
tailor's
When Informed by his sartorial ex.
ccllency that the pearl gray. Just com
plcted, made him look like boy" the
judge was again so foolish as TO allow
his face 10 grow red, but he merely
seowled In reply and ordered the suit
Sent 10 his rooms al once.
The next morning at 0 he left on his
Journey, reaching Pecan Grove at 3 In
the afternoon. Billy Lands was at the
station with smart little trap, and
they had an eShllarating two mile spin
through the hectic autumn woods.
The judge longed TO ask some ques-
lions about Diana, but kept craftlly
silent, hoping that Billy would present
~ volunteer II little Information.
And after thrnshlng out every other
subject under the sun-so II seemed to
his guest--Billy finally remarked; 1--WE
six of the opposite variety of brute, In.
Guiding you and myself hi has plan
ned no end of thrilling stunts for every
day In the week, she and Teddy Car.
stairs"
The judge felt his heart drop like Il
lcadcn plummct, but he forced : him
self TO say, matter of factly: II don't
a. IL,
here. Is he
"Of course you didn't" intcrposed
BILLY quickly. They're n nice Eng
fish family who have leased the ad-
Joining plantation. Teddy Is the old.
est boy. Hes brick too"
Judge Underwood was keenly con
scious Of II desire 10 Kick himself clear
back 10 New York Why ever had he
succumbed Idiotieally 10 the iempta-
ton of the moment In allowing himself
10 be invelgled down here? lie had
permitted himself 10 be made a fool Of
by II girls offer of friendly hospitality
by II talIor's stupid drlvel. by his own
arrant imbeellIty.
But he managed adroitly to box up
his feelings and observe with II sur
prising degree of enthusiasm; ut was
awfnlly good Of you all TO have me
down. | was just on the verge Of stag
nation, and this little breath OF fresh
air will set me up considerably"
Then with the deadllest sensations
he had ever experienced the Judge
pulled smile to his lips and "A light to
his eyes ms they drove up with Il flour
isb under the p0rte-cochere.
The first person his gaze rested on
was Diana herself. She ran out with
both slim brown hands extended In
welcome and a beautiful flush show
ing wildly through the apricot tan Of
her cheeks Pm SO glad to see YOU
Judge" she said 1T seems Ike cen
fury since you went away, yet ii's been
only two years, hasn't IT,
by facts and figures" he replied,
crushing her fingers warmly. other
wise eternltIese
They both laughed and stood on the
porch chatting till Billy returned and
dragged Judge Underwood of to his
room. After they had gone Diana
stood still In the same spot for several
minutes. Presently she drew deep
breath and shook her head.
NO. she unused softly; its made a
difference What with legal honors
and money and New York people
Al this juncture Teddy Carstairs
came up and interrupted her rehec-
tiona claiming her for the next tennis
match, and, gulping her irritation. Di-
ana smiled and accompanied him
down to the court