The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-23
BOYS }

in asking her if she thought-if she ever-if. in short-and
 Anita shook her head sadly. Harry said per haps it too and he should have waited Anita said that that would never have made any difference. Then she wept and, with the fnality 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 now con- va1escing She found him awful1y thin and very poetic He suggested that as they both appeared doomed to early death, they pass their remain ing days together, 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 was pleasant, practical lady who didn't believe that Anita had incipient con- sumption at all. They not many miles on their before she told her young friend so, and that frankly. There are few things more 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 feeling better. Better and better and better. They reached Colorado and they reached Tom. His chief lent him private car for week and his mother and Anita went out in it and saw railway construction at first hand Then they back and travelled about bit sightseeing Tom joined them when he could for Saturday and Sunday. His mother radiantly happy; as for Anita, she began to get back her color
 They went back home for Christmas. The baby had grown, the boys were back from college, it was really a very happy time. Before it was over Will-who would have a fortune-asked Anita if she would share it, and she shook her head as be- fore. She saw that they were all going to ask her the question and it made her very sad; but there apparently no hs p for it.
 They all did-aIl but Tom. Eddy asked her at Easter, and the other two when they first got home :u June Francis George asked for .he second time in July and Harry asked her for the fourth time in August. Other men asked her, too. The truth was she was dear sweet little creature and oI1 ,or yff7a her crape bonnet which made all the world want. her for his wife. don't know what the acute charm of widows bonnet can be- but we all know how irresistible is. Perhaps it IS the knowledge that there walks another mans wife. who IS to De 1egitimately coveted. g4a
 Anyway, Anita grew more and more attractive and refused more andRmore good offers, until finally Tom home. She had looked forward very eagerly Toms coming home remembering their happy times in Colorado. But Tom came home quite changed. He was tanned, had beard, and was in town two whole days before he came to her.
 She was getting really hurt when he did come And then when she knew that he was there she didn't want go down to see him. It was very funny.
 Then when she did go down there was no one but himself and herself in the room and he-wel' kissed her, and of course he shouldn't have done that She lad not kissed any of the toys since her wedding-day and never expected to kiss any of them again-not ever.fss
 She blushed dreadfully, and she and Tom sat down Orwell, the sofa-and he took her hand. It dreadful-but she let Lim-somehow.
 And then he began to talk to her, and he talked to her long time. And she let him.
 And he held her nd all the time. And she let him.
 And he told her that he loved her. And she let kiin.
 And then he kissed her over and over. Ind she let him.
 ''I always meant to marry soz- etime Anita ho said so avufr1 yhe onf and evof married the way you did.'' 6s
 To this she made no reply.
 ''Of course all were fond of you,'' Tom con- tinued 'tbut of the others thought Of wanting to marry you, end I can tell you honestly that I have never once thought of vanting to marry anyone else.''
 That's nice to know" she said
 "And we'll be married very soon' he added, "and I'll carry you away with when go back"
 And she Jet him.
 And the other six kept each his secret, and Anita Lept all their secrets. So that her husband and their six wives never, never knew.