The Dolores star., 1909-09-24
. MOMENT OF
CONFIDENCE

BY ELLA MIDDLETON TYBOUT

Z Fs--o--~s - - ~ ~~-kfa'ASohs So1
Il congratulate you," remarked the
Judge urbanely. upon the engage
ment Of your niece"
I Miss Weston smiled as, with hands
almost as fragile as the Dresden cup,
she passed his tea.
/ MY greatniece," she corrected
quietly. you forget the flight of
time"
only when am with you." he re-
sponded with slight bow.
I The Judge. who prided himself upon
neat speeches of this character. ad-
mired his white gaiters as he stood
with his back to the fire. The judges
left great toe was equity. but his boots
were immaculate Notwithstanding.
! Il knew her mother" he resumed,
rehectively-"yes. and her mothers
mother"
ALSO his father" said Miss Yves.
ton. tentatively, "and perhaps his
father. too?"
Il knew his grandfather certainly;
also his grandmother"
The Judge drew up a chair and sat
down. From the other room came a
,murmur Of young voices enlivened by
little bursts Of laughter, and he In
voluntarily smiled as he listened.
i wonder you allowed it," he sud
denly remarked.
! On the contrary" said Miss Yves.
ton. briefly. 81 encouraged It,"
ITS In the blood" slowly resumed
the Judge they cannot help It, Al
ways the last pretty face. There's
heartache for every woman who mar.
ries Grayson.
"Heartache for every woman who
loves a Grayson," amended Miss Wes.
ton. quietly
] The Judge looked curiously at his
companion as she rested her head
again the high, carved back OF her
chair a little wearily. Miss Weston
resembled delicate flower which
has begun to fade, and most men felt
an instructive desire to shield and
protect her.
am not sure" he remarked at
last, that understand you. Let
US return to the young people. The
boy suggests his grandfather"
Who married Lucy Lincoln" said
Miss Weston in her soft old voice. II
was bridesmaid. you were best man.
1t seems but yesterday"
Poor Lucy. truly" said the Judge
with slight sigh as he brushed a
crumb from his knee, "a neglected,
unloved wife. She suffered acutely.
She used to tell me her troubles"
"Ah." said Miss Weston, smiling,
how like Lucy. She always told her
,troubles-especially to men,"
He was a BRUTE" remarked the
Judge In the impersonal manner in
which one refers to well-established
fact.
He was nothing Of the Sort" con-
tradicted Miss Weston with unexpect.
ed asperity; "he needed the right
woman, that was ALL"
He married." the Judge declared.
the best woman on Gods earth, and
his neglect killed her."
Lucy died Of diphtheria," corrected
his companion dryly; ut is not usual.
ly produced by neglect"
She clasped her hands loosely in
her lap. and their delicate transpar.
ency was accentuated by the black
velvet Of her gown. There was some.
thing strangely thereal about Miss
Weston. which the Judge admired,
though he did not understand.
rs Mildred the right woman?" he
interrogated as a ripple of laughter
arose from the next ROOM
He is nice boy" she returned
slowly; "he deserves a chance"
His grandfather never had a
chance" resumed Miss Weston in a
reflective tone; Lucy did not know
how to love-"
A flush not entirely due to the fire
overspread the wrinkled cheeks of the
old man.
Il beg your pardon he interrupted.
"she knew"
The French clock on the mantei
seemed to tick more hurriedly as Miss
Weston leaned forward. looking up at
her companion upon the hearthrug.
so 1t was you." she said with an
odd little laugh: Il knew there was
. man in 1t. of course. but-you."
:. "Oh, assure you." he exclaimed,
extending deprecating hand. there
was nothing"
Discreet, even in her indiscre.
tions." murmured Miss Weston an.
preciatively. dear Lucy"
A slight stir in the outer room an
nounced new arrival. The Judge
looked with good deal of interest
at the last conner, but Miss Weston