Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-09-04
How WenzeII
Made Good.
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted, 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.

| The city boarderz sat on the ra,
plush sofa and looked at picture posta
cards with Ann Rose He was a We,
dressed youth, with gorgeous hosier,
displayed above his low cut shoes. Hi
face was ordinary and notable merely
for its shrewdness aud a frequent dis
play OF gold filled teeth. Ann Rose nd
mired him greatly. His position I'm ,
city bank and his undoubted respec
liability had much to do with his en-
trance into the Baker homestead.
Ann Rose Baker and Chester Laid
law giSgled over the postal cards unit
Wenzell Beebe slid awkwardly into TIA,
back parlor and sat down beside Mrs
Baker. who nodded kindly at him.
| "How's your map she asked.
she's all right" replied wenzell
his sunburned face turning a deepei
red. He was conscious that the cit,
boarder was discussing him with Ann
Rose. and her light laugh, instahti,
suppressed. rendered him still more
uncomfortable.
You know Mr.. LaidlawY wbis
! pered Mrs. Baker.
Wenzell nodded. "T met him here
the other night"
Hes awful smart. He's In a bank
| said Mrs. Baker Importantly.
Wenzell did not reply. He was try.
Ing to keep his eyes from the couple Oh
the sofa In the other room.
Ann Rose was watching him covert
iy. She noted the new suit OF gray
clothes. the light blue satin necktie
and his large brown hands. Her
glance wandered to the youth at her
side, with his air OF easy assurance
and down at his slim white hands play
Ing with the postals. She twisted
Wenzells little turquoise ring from
the third finger OF her left hand and
transferred 1t to the other hand. Then
she few over to the piano aud ratified
the keys noisily.
Come, sing something, MIR. Laid.
law" she suggested gayly.
Mr. Laidlaw was pleased to. sing and
he and Ann Rose turned the pages OF
q book OF old love songs. and WI
their voices blended In unison. Wen
zelrs hands tightly clinchcd the sides
i come to take Ann Rose out rids
Ing he said sullenly to his futusS
mother-in-law. Ns4>
Mrs. Baker glanced apprehensively
at him over her speetacIes. Ann
Rose. here's Wenzell asserting here
waiting for you to go riding with him
she called
The music ceased abruptly. and Ann
Rose appeared IN the doorway. de-
mureiy pretty in her white dress. with
a half blown rose In her dark hair.
The boarder lounged behind her.
Il saw you come In, wenzell, but 1
forgot all about you" she said, with n
coQuettish glance at Mr.. Laldlaw. aI'n
be ready In minute"
Wenzell Beebe nodded awkwardly Mt
the boarder and. taking his hat. went
out OF the side door to the shed where
he Ind tied his horse He backed the
buggy into the driveway and waited
patiently until Ann Rose came re-
iuctantiy out. Silently he assisted her
to the seat and jumped Ia beside her.
The big black horse carried them cas-
lily out or the yard and Into q green
shaded road. where the setting sun
poured sitting golden streams through
the branches. When they reached a
rise OF ground. Wenzsll 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 III get wet, then.
hes over to town, and he didn't get II
all H." said Ann Rose lady. She was
thinking OF what Chester I.aidlaw had
said about her eyes, and at that in
slant they Were very bright.
where's your ringT asked Wen
zell suddenly.
She glanced guilty down at her left
mana and then extended the other with
shamefaced smile. ~ changed IL
Tor fun" she faltered.
Then you amt ashamed of itp"
asked Wenzell slowly, and as she made
no reply he added. with a furtiye
glance at Ann Rose: 81 reckon that
Laidlaw fellow could hand out dIa-
monds and such They say he's a
spender.
Ann Rose shrugged her shoulders
petfishiy. her dark eyes seeking n new
~ built cottage that crowned a little
eminence.
Il thought maybe you'd like to look
at II. Ann Rose" said Wenzell In a
softer tone. Jim Putney has left a
sample book OF wall paper, ;. and / want
you to choose what you like"
Mr.. Laidlaw says we ought to have
cartridge paper In the parior." OBJ
served Ann Rose carelessiy as Wen.
zeii helped her down before the gate.
"Laidlaw! Has he been hereY" de-
handed Wenzell savasely.
The girl laughed uneasily. "we
walked over last night lin the moon. /
light. ! told him about # being ours.
We peeked in the Windows" she ex.
planned.
i gueas We won't pick out any pa.
per tonight" said Wenzeli deliberately
You better get In and PHI take you
home. Maybe you have an engage.
ment to play croquet with the
boardefr
They drove home IN silence, and II
wac not until the black horse turned
In at the gate that Wenzeu spoke
again; then his voice was hoarss aud
rough with emotion. So
II amt got the style OF that bank
elbow. Ann Rose, bst you liked ma
nrsG TX you like him better than ms