The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-18

[orIgInal.l

LOrlginal.l
Russell Seymour at twenty was des-
perately In love with Barbara Ward,
few months his senior, but since be
had nothing except what he might
carve out Of the future marriage be-
tween them was not to be considered.
Seymour went to a distant city to push
his way In the world. declaring that
when he had competency he would
return and II he found Barbara still
unmarried would claim her.
Twenty years passed. Seymour had
prospered, but had not married. At
forty he was still very young looking.
young feeling and young acting, but be
was at that age when man begina
% tire OF clubs and the Iaborious part
OF keeping In social life. He longed
for q home, and what was more natu.
raj than TO revert to his old sweet
heart to make that home for him? He
wrote her that he was intending to
make a trip and would call upon her.
He inclosed his photograph.
Now, Barbara Ward had been good
deal OF an invalid for many years.
Her face was creased, and her hair
was almost white. She looked ten
years older than she was, while the
likeness she received looked ten years
younger than Seymour. Here was a
gap In appearance alone Of twenty
years. In addition to this, she was
broken down In health, and her time
for rearing family had passed she
was too sensible a woman to receive
Russell Seymour as a lover. Her sis
ter's child, now a woman of twenty.
seven, had the same name as she and
pictures of the two taken at the same
age looked like twins.
The Wards lived at suburban town
near city. Seymour sent word Of
the day and hour of hts expected ar
rival. and Miss Barbara drove to the
station for him. Seymour. who was
aware that q woman Of forty would
have passed the bloom Of youth, look
ed forward to the meeting with mis-
glvIngs. When he saw what be mis-
took for his old love but slightly aged
he was astonished and delighted. In
deed, he began TO worry about a few
gray hairs that were creeping into his
beard.
Now, Miss Ward had instructed her
Niece to entertain Mr.. Seymour and
make excuses for her own nonappear-
ance. for she did not intend to show
herself. II did not occur to Barbara to
play the part of her aunt till she saw
that she had been mistaken for her:
then, the spirit OF mischief being rife
In her. she played It to perfection.
'How In the world" he asked, shave
you managed to retain your youthful |
NO cares and good conscience"
''You don't look day over thirty"
Barbara WINGED at this, but managed
to reply "And you don't look day
over thirty either"
sHow fortunate that we have both
retained our youth But the heart
that never grows old"
Sometimes 1t grows eold." She cast
aside her eyes.
Il assure you mine beats the same
Is when parted from you"
'sThen why have you not come for
me before n
This was a home thrust He pleaded
absorption In business. a desire TO ac-
d certain amount and other
excuses IN which there was no warmth
II love. "And you be said, why did
Fou cease to write met"
.fIow could / continue to write when
Eour letters came at such long inter-
eals as to indicate that you were
shangedT'
Never mind that sweetheart We
ID united now. and wen never part
Hxnin In life'
Ind the young lady not held the
z|hs he would have taken her hand,
aien an arm around her waist, posi-
81 d kiss. As 1t was. be was obliged
defer caresses till they reached
enc, where be found her unwilling to
abmit to them He protested, and she
popped hint that she must be won
Inew. Indeed. she LEFT doubt In BITS
Bind whether she could be won at all.
Hhey dined together. and Seymour was
H1rprised that no one except Barbara
#as at the table. He asked Il she
wed alone. which Disconnected her,
.ut she stuck to the truth by telling
i'm that she lived with an aunt who
sas an invalid.
That night Barbara confessed to
|zIss Ward the part she was playing.
Ser aunt after reflection told her TO
Iontinue the deception. Seymour was
aade welcome at the house and show
q no Inclination to depart The day
ifter ler arrival the Invalid came
own for dinner. aud Seymour was in
zoduced By Barbara. A sadness came
ser Miss Wards face when her for
ter lover showed no recognition Of
Ief whatever. Indeed. be sat at table
Flth a bored look on bis face that . I