The Democratic advocate., 1908-12-25
He stopped suddenly. But of course

He stopped suddenly. 'But Of course
we've grown sensible since then," he
said wfstfully.
swell, you just ask her to go to-
morrow" Oliver recommended, and
then the judge gave in.
The next evening he presented him
self at the dinner table armed with a
long paper box.
"For you, my DEAR" he said to his
wife as she came in with Roxane.
heavy eyed and pensive.
The box, being opened, showed rosy
carnations.
"The nearest thing I could get to
pinks," the judge explained.
'~Why pinksr' his wife demanded.
"Abbie," he reproached, "have you
forgotten that twenty-five years ago
you wore pinks''-
Mrs Vandiver's expansive features
expressed a blank surprise. ''What
happened twenty-five years ago!'
II know" Roxane interrupted.
There's the picture on fathers desk
you have on a blue dress and bunch
Of pinks-you said you looked that
way when he asked you to marry
him."
The blush that stole up toward Mrs.
Vandiver's gray curls gave her a Gu
rious look Of youth. "Why, James"
she faltered, "did you really remem-
ber?'
EYES," said the Judge, feeling that
had he never forgotten life would
have held deeper meanings.
Mrs Vandiver came around and
kissed her husband. 'Thank you
DEAR she said, with a gentleness
that made Roxane stare.
After that it was not hard to pro-
pose ride by moonlight, and Mrs.
Vandiver, consenting, came down in
blue gown that became her elderly
plumpness almost as well as that 9th
er blue gown had set off her girlish
figure.
The judges electric runabout re-
placed the buggy Of long ago, and as
they went quickly through the city
and out into the country roads that
astute gentleman refrained from any
mention of Oliver and Roxane. All
his talk was of things of the past.
'How happy we were, Abbie," he
said at last, and his wife responded
wistfully, every happy, James"
A golden moon hung above the dark
line of the hills. The air was sweet
with the spiciness of the pines. The
Judge was thrilled with bygone emo
tions, and his arm was comfortably
about his wife's waist
Then in the rapture of the restora
ton to her place Of romance Of the
Abbie Of long ago he forgot Oliver
forgot Roxane.
He was brought back with a shock
when Mrs. Vandiver said as they
turned toward home: 'I've been think
ing of Roxane. If she really loves
Oliver don't know but ought
''Of course you ought" said the
Judge promptly. "Give them your
blessing, and let them be as happy as
we are"
IT am afraid that Oliver has been
fooled by some of those firms who
hunt up lost heirs" the lady pursued.
"Of course Oliver was sincere, but
don't think much Of the fortune sto-
ry."
NO." mendaciously, 'it didn't seem
probable"
"You can settle something on them
after they are married." said Mrs.
Vandiver. 1--WE haven't any one to
leave it to but Roxane-and-and it
would be nice to have them engaged
on the same day that we were. jim
mie"
Jimmie! The magic Of the youthful
appellation made the judge feel like a
colt
Lets get them married and you
and l will go off and have another
honeymoon" he proposed jubilantly.
1--WE will have the time of our lives"
The ripple that came from his wife's
lips was silver echo of the golden
laughter of other days.
eve WILL" she said and lifted her
face to him in the moonlight, "and
now let's go right home and tell the
children, Jimmie"