The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-09-04
How Wenzell
Made Good.
BY CLARISSA MACkIE.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

face was ordinary and notable mogcI.
for It's shrewdncss and a frequent dis
play Of gold filled teeth Ann Rose al
mIrcd him greatly. His position In
city bank aud bis unnOubtcd rcspcc
liability had much Ia do with his en-
trance into the Baker homestead.
Ann Itosc Baker aud Chester Laid
law glggled over the postal cards unit
WcnzeIl Beebo slid nwkwardly into the
back parIor and sat down beside Mrs
Baker, who nodded kindly at him.
'IIow's your ma p she asked.
shes all right" replied WcnzeIl
his sunburned face turning a deeper
red. He was conscious that the city
boardcr was discussing him with Ann
Rose, and her Hight laugh, Instantly
suppressed. rendered him stilI more
uncomfortable,
you know Mr.. LaIdlawf' whIs.
pered Mrs. Baker.
Wcnzell nodded, Il met him here
the other night"
Hes awful smart, He's IN Il bank, -
said Mrs. Baker Importantly.
Wcnzcll did not reply. He was try.
Ing TO keep his eyes from the couple on
the sofa IN the other room.
Ann Rose was watching him covert,
", She noted the new suit Of gray
clothes, the Hight blue satin ucCktIe
md his large brown hands. Her
glance wandered to the youth at her
side, with his mir of easy assurance,
and down at his slim white hands play.
Ing with the postals. She twisted
Wcnzcll's little turquoise ring from
the third finger Of her left hand and
transferred It to the other hand. Then
she flew over 10 the piano and ratified
the keys nolsily.
Come, sing something, Mr.. Laid
law" she suggested gayly.
Mr.. Laidlaw was pleased to sing, and
lie and Ann Rose turned the pages Of
n book of old love songs, and when
their voices blended in unison Wen
2cll's hands tightly clinched the sides
Of his chair and his lips whItencd.
~ come to take Ann Rose out rid
Ing" he said s~uIIenly to his future
mother ln-law.
Mrs Baker glanced 0pprchenslyely
at him over her spcctaclcs, Ann
Rose, here's WenzeIl n-settlng here
waiting for you to go riding with himT'
she called.
The music ceased abruptly, aud Ann
Rose appeared In the doorway, de
murcIy pretty IN her white dress, with
n half blown rose In her dark hair,
The bonrder lounged behind her.
Il saw you comc In, WcnzelI, but |
forgot all about you,' she said. with n
coquettish glance at Mr., Lnldlaw. "Il
he ready In a minute
WcnzclI Beebe nodded nwkwardly at
the boarler aud, taking his hat. went
out Of the side door to the shed where
he had tied bis horse. He backed the
buggy into the driveway and waited
patiently until Ann Rose came re-
luctantly out. Silently he assisted her
TO the seat and jumped In beside her.
The big black horse carried them cas-
fly out OF the yard and into Il green
shaded road, where the setting sun
poured sitting golden streams through
the branches. When they reached Il
rise Of ground, Weuzell pointed with
his whip TO the horizon where a low
rim Of black clouds stained the yellow
light.
Rain tonight" he said, speaking for
the first time.
Il guess pas hay II get wet, then.
He's over to town, and he didn't get Il
all ill.," said Ann Rose lazily. She was
thinking Of what Chester L.aldIaw had
said about her eyes, and at that IN
slant they were very bright.
where's your ringT" asked Wen.
yell suddenly.
She glanced guilty down at her left
hand and then extended the other with
n shamefaced smile, II changed It
for fun" she faltered.
Then you amt ashamed Of itf'
asked Wenzell slowly, and rs she made
no reply he added, with Il furtlve
glance at Ann Rose. 81 rock m that
LaIdlaw fellow could hand ont aIa-
monds and such They snv hos a
spender.
Ann Rose sbrpgg.d her sborl1or,
pettishly, her dark ewes seeking n new.
ly built cottage that crowned n little
emlpenco,
81 thought mnybe World like to look
At II Ann Rose" saIa wenyer in a
softer tone. ",Jim rutuey has left n
sarnio tonb u.,u , 40, 900,