The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-27

in asking her II she thousht-n she ever-if. IN
short-and on.
Anita shook her head sadly Harry said per-
haps 1t was too soon and he should have waited.
Anita said that that would never have made any
difference. Then she wept and. with the nnality
of twenty years. told him that she Was resolved
never to marry again.
On the afternoon OF the same day she went to
say goodbye to Francis George. who was now con-
valescng. She found him awfully thin and very
poetic. He suggested that they both appeared
doomed to an early death. they pass their remain
ing days together but Anita refused this OFFER too.
The next morning she wrenched herself away
from her parents and child and started west with
Toms mother.
Now Toms mother \ pleasant. practical lady
who didn't believe that Anita had incipient
sumption at all. They not many miles ON
their route before she told her young friend
that very frankly. There few things moro
cheering than to be assured that you haven't con-
sumption after having been obliged to fear that
you have. Anita began to feel better already.
She kept on feeling better. Better and better and
better. They reached Colorado and they reached
Tom. His chief lent him a private car for = week
and his mother and Anita went out in II and saw
railway construction at first hand. Then they
came back and travelled abou: a bit sightseeing.
Tom Joined them when he could for Saturday and
Sunday. His mother was radiantly happy: n for
Anita, she began TO get OAck ner color.
They went back home for Christmas. The baby
had grown. the boys were back from college, It
really very happy time. Before it was over
Will-who would have . fortune-asked Anita IL
she would share 1t. and she shook her head as be-
fore. She now that they were all going to
ask her the same question and 1t made her very
sad but there was apparently no help for it.
They all did-an but Tom. Eddy asked her at
Easter. and the other two when they nrst got homo
in June. Francis George asked for the second
time in July and Harry asked her for the fourth
time in August Other men asked her. too. The
truth she dear. sweet little creature. and
there something about her pretty face under
her. Grape bonnet which made all the world want
her for his wife. don't know what the acute
charm Of a widows bonnet can be. but all know
how Irresistible H. Perhaps 1t 10 the knowledge
that there walks another man's wife who ID to be
legitimately coveted.
Anyway, Anita grew more and more attractive
and r.fused more and more good offers. until
finally Tom came home. She had looked forward
very eagerly to Toms coming home. remembering
their happy times In Colorado. But Tom came
home quite changed. He was tanned. had beard.
to her.
She was getting really hurt when he did come.
And then when she knew that he was there she
didn't want to 90 down to REQ him. 1t was very
funny.
Then when she did go down there was one
but himself and herSelf In the room ana ne-Wells
kissed her. and of course he shouldn't have done
that. She had not kissed any Of the boys since
her wedding-day and never expected to kiss any
of them again-not ever.
She bushed dreadfully, and she and Tom at
down on-well. on the sofa-and he took her hand.
1t was dreadful-but she let him-somehow.
And then he began to talk to her. and he talked
to her . long time. And she let him.
And he held her hand all the time. And she let
him.
And he told her that he loved her. And she let
him.
And then he kissed her over and over And she
let him.
Il always meant to marry you sometime. Anita"
he said: "it was SO awful when you went and got
married the way you did"
To this she made reply.
"Of course we all were fond Of you.' Tom
tinued. ''but none of the others thought OF
wanting to marry you. and I tell you honestly
that have never once thought Of wanting to
marry anyone else"
That's so nice to know" she said.
And we'll be married very soon." he added and
I'll carry you away with me when go back"
And she let him.
And the other six kept each his secret, and Anita
kept all their secrets So that her one huahanA
and their six wives never never knew.