The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-06-25
: LOVE VERSUS -
3 - ROMANCE.
(Original.l

[OriginaLl
AS soon as he heard of her widow
hood he took train. intending to see
her. He had been engaged to her
twenty years Rl,:c. and when she
married another man the discarded
lover was heartbroken. He did not re.
turn her picture and had kept it BY
him ever since. At the time She Tilted
him he was an uncouth farmers boy.
while she was the belle of the village.
That village had grown to he Il town
and lie was now its most prominent
merchant. She had moved with her
husband to another state.
She had married farmer. and he
was obliged to drive dozen miles
from the station to reach her home
He wondered If she would know him
1t was not likely. for she had not seen
him since she had married lie woul,
know her among Il thousand. Despite
the fact that We know that our friends
change. we see them in the minds eye
as when we saw them last. Coming to
snug farm with neat house AMI
ample barns on it. he pulled up before
the gate. At the same moment q trim
looking woman came to the door.
I'm looking for the Widow Torrcy."
he said. "Can you tell me where her
farm lies:"
1T lies right here
care you Mrs. Torrey?"
"Yes.'
She had changed. but did not look so
much older as might have been ex-
pected. She was still fine looking
woman. apparently about forty-two.
He looked at her admiringly. his only
disappointment being that she so little
resembled her old self He made up
his mind not to declare himself at
once.
"1've heard, Mrs. Torrey, that since
your husbands death you might con,
cludc to sell your farm"
Hc had heard nothing of the kind
He wished to give all excuse for his
coming
I'll sell anything I've got if l can
get my price for it. Won't you tie your
horse and come in?"
He tied his horse and went into the
house Everything looked spick and
span. A little girl of four. the image
Of her mother, was the only other Wis
ible occupant of the house. Mrs. Tor
rey motioned to rocking chair and
seated herself on sofa. After little
talk about the sale of the farm he got
up and took 4 seat on the other end Of
the sofa.
"You don't remember me-" he said
She looked up Mt him, surprised and
curious.
"I'm an old lover of yours" he added.
She scrutinized every line of his face
but failed to recall it.
"As soon as heard of your hus-
bands death started to find you.
don't want to buy your farm. but
want you to sell it and come and live
with Inc. I want to lie a devoted hus-
band and father to your little girl"
"Are you Sam Turner?" she asked.
'Sam Turner? No. I'm Enoch Wealth
erby."
She shook her head. "Sam Turner's
the only lover l ever had before was
| ]
Weathcrby."
weren't you Ellen Stevens?"
A new light came into her eyes. She
burst into laugh. ELLEN Stevens and
I married brothers. She lives FIVE miles
up the road"
EnOch Weatherly was much discom-
flied There seemed nothing for him
IN 1f t,l1t re l.;
blunder. He arose. babe the widow
goodby, unhitched his horse and drove
away. He inquired along the route for
Mrs. Torry-the other Mrs. Torrey-
and presently was directed to the farm
where she lived \ woman apparently
old enough to be his mother came to
the door. followed by half dozen
noisy children, whom she was scold.
ing in a rasping voice.
'I'm looking for the Widow Torrey,"
; he said.
I'm the Widow Torrey'
WAS your name Stevens before YOU
were marredY'
Yes; was Ellen Stevens"
i HIN" There was a pause. give
heard that since your husband died
. you might like to sell your farm
{ We'll. reckon I'd sell it if could
{ get enough for it."
I She invited him in and told him all
5 about her farm, the buildings Oh it..
I the stock and farming tools. She of
! fered to show il to him. but he said he
: would not have time then. but might
I call again. Then he took his departure
5 without declaring himself. The dream
of twenty years was shattered.
He drove back to tive other Widow
{ Torrey and told her his story, asking
I her to keep his secret. Naturally she
5 sympathiZed With her sister-in-law,
I but had not this nice. prosperous look
ing man been ready. supposing her to
{ be his old love- to give her that love
I md protection she so much missed:
She gave. the desired promise
In few days her little girl received
} Il big doll with eyes to open and shut,
and soon after the mother unpacked a
handsome inlaid book rack for her par