The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-08-06

( GUulU U0l.sS 6u6 lay kOpMlQS Out Oh tMS
window az q certain rsnr which strug-
gled YEARLY to free itself from a cob
web Of cloud in which II had become
entangled. Varied and very bitter
were her thoughts.
Molly had come back widow. Nan
could see her in her black things with
her vivid face and coppery hair. It
was said Abner Mcclure had money,
and Molly always would dress well
anyway.
Nan had heard Of what a beautiful
widow may do, and tomorrow, Jim.
her jim. was going back to Holman's,
straight into the old net that had en-
meshed him. She clinched her hands
in the darkness and prayed.
Toward morning Sc fell asleep. At
6 Jim aroused her. lie had been up
an hour.
Il let you sleep as hing as could"
he said. Don't fuss over the break
fast. Just make me cup OF coffee
and give me some bread and butter.
I'm in hurry today, dear"
/. Nan got breakfast. She did not eat
any herself She kissed Jim passively
at the door.
What's the matter? Aren't you
feeling well this morning. Nan?" he
asked anxiously.
Nan watched him up the hill. Then
she lay down on the lounge and had
her cry out. Noon came. She made
tea and drank 1t. 1t braced her UP
wonderfully. Indeed, she felt almost
feverish. It came to her that she
would not endure it moment longer.
Jim was there and he was her hus-
band! She would go there, too.
After noon a breeze sprang UP
which relieved the hot day. Nan
dressed carefully in white lawn with
pinkish spots, dress her husband
admired. She loosened her hair about
her face and let it drop little lower
toward the nape of the neck.
She felt that she was girding her
sell for battle and she meant to have
no weak spots in her armor. Then she
locked the door, called Shep to follow
her and, raising her umbrella above
her bare head. set forth.
The walk put heart into her. She
felt ready for anything as she crossed
the last field before the Holman
house.
Mrs. Holman greeted her with a
kiss.
Why. Nan. how do you do? I'm
right glad to see you. / suppose you
know Molly McClure's here? Jim told
you? Yes. Well, sit right down in this
chair. Well stay on the veranda, for
it's cooler than in the house. She
stepped to the door. "Molly!" she
called. She'll be down in minute.
She's most through dressing" she
said, coming back to Man. "How nice
you look in that dress! You're one OF
the few women ever knew who could
wear pink and keep their complexion
in it,"
That did Nan good. She was cool
and her heart had steadied down
when great rustling Of skirts on the
stairs announced Mrs. Mcclure. Nan
rose to met her.
why, Nan Farrell-Nan Lancaster,
should say!" Molly cried, embrac-
ing her ecstatically. Il am perfectly
delighted to see you!''
She held Nan OF and looked at her.
And Nan looked at Molly. In tina.
moment her doubts, her long fear. her
jealousy, blew away like piAch Of
thistle down in strong breeze. She
found herself sitting beside her talk
ing volubly. 1t was all over.
"You haven't changed bit, Man,"
Molly was saying II asked Jim If
you had yesterday and he wouldn't
say. He said 1 should judge for ny
self. What have you done to keep
your complexion like that, and your
| figure?"
Nan laughed. She could laugh now.
Molly's young glory had faded sadly.
Her wonderful hair was thin and dull;
her cheeks coarse; her teeth had I'M
mistakably been replaced; her double
chin rested on her full bosom, and
she wheezed as she talked.
Presently Jim came striding up
with Mr. Holman From afar he wav-
ed his hand toward his wife.
"Just as much in love with you as
ever. isn't he?" Molly said, seeing
him. She disposed her handsome
skirt carefully, so as best to display
its cut and finish. But Nan did not
notice. She was thinking of Jim.
Molly had been an illusion, and the
| illusion was disnelled