The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-10-20

Ann Marks eye flashed. Direct as
her name, she refused to marry Henry
Jasper. He stood before her a little
awkwardly, but yet man that most
He was not forty, well of for the sim
pie community. highly respected, and
his wife, Caroline, had been dead three
years. Being mere man, how could
he know that Ann, his old schoolmate,
had suffered agonies when as young
man he had courted and married her
cousin?
No one knew why Ann had not mar
ried. She never wore her heart on her
sleeve. Now. in spite of herself, her
heart softened to him. noting how his
hand ruffied his hair as it always did
when he was puzzled and unhappy.
Il never did think could be second
best in any mans life.' she went on
rather cruelty. And ! don't see how
at my age. thirty-five. and l don't care
who knows it, don't see how can
begin playing mother to another wo-
mans child. The boy will hate me. AS
all children do stepmother No; ask
some other woman" The man flushed
angrily.
Don't insult me, Ann. You know l
don't want any other woman. I've nj
ways-you know l can't tell you what
l always thought of you. 1t wouldn't
seem fair to Caroline, who did her best
by me-"
The world knew she had been a
weak. fretful, untidy woman. Jealous,
thriftless. her baby beauty gone In
few years. And 1t knew Of his loyalty.
He could not tell this woman how in
the years she had been about his house
helping Caroline his heart had gone
out TO AIMS CHEEKY strength, her
wholesome, healthy kindness, He tried
one word more.
Ann, If you knew how l needed you
In every way you would come. Do you
think I have forgotten how to love"
Still she shook her head. He turned
slowly away, climbed into his buggy
and drove to his own farm. Ann sat
thinking. for she remembered many
things She finally rose and went into
her sisters house. where she was visit
ing. Molly looked at her curiously as
she entered, waiting to be told some
thing. for she had guessed Henry's
errand. But she was forced to respect
AIMS silence
In the crisp September morning Ann
started out for walk. She went over
the hill where she used to play with
Molly and with Henry and Caroline.
How strangely things had worked out!
She thought OF her busy life as fore
woman in big shop. her practical.
busy. useful. lonely life. How soon
her visit to the old place would be
over! Reaching the top OF the hill. she
sat down in the falling leaves. pushing
the heavy dark hair back from her
face. Her big eyes were soft and kind
and dark, like an animals eyes. She
was tall and vigorous.
Down in the valley she could see
Henry Jasper's house and barnyard.
He was hitching the bays to the bug
gy. and presently he drove away. A
sudden temptation assailed her She
mad heard Molly say his most recent
housekeeper had left. Should she go
and have look at things? She did not
see the boy about. Probably Jimmy
was at his grandmother's. She rose
ana walked across the stubble
The door was locked. but she found
the KEY under the mat and entered
She could have groaned at sight OF the
Undergraduates unwashed. floor ditto
disorder rampant. The sitting room,
the bedroom, everything was sorry
sight TO her housewifely eye. for she
was first and always housekeeper.
Things mad been bad enough In Caro-
lines time, but now they were impos-
sible.
she mad no conjunction about en-
tering she had always been In and
out belore she went to the city. He
would not care. She looked at the
CLOCK ana calculated mat ne could not
get pack from town under Two hours
Inen she rolled up her sleeves and
sklrt ana went 10 work-dishes nrst,
then the moor, then sweeping. busting
ana making beds. BEFORE she knew
II three hours had gone ana It was
noon. she FOUND bite to eat and de-
clded TO go on even II ne caught her
at II. she did not care.
ovarvth,ne os - should no oh. oheso
thoso noints 70 M. ~ r,ohts .ha, uo,,Id
mara for shonr oon,,art Sha naaao
corn. MOS and o,ngar ooot,oo md
donchnuts and hoiIed Some corned hoaf
from tho hare, trying not r. COO tho
cond,tion tbe cellar was In Tho after.
Noon wore on and atm Harry did mt
return She mended soma NJ JImmv,s
clothes moor child,
She Ind decided that che would keen
at work as long as nossible and then
slide ont the hack wav when she saw
him com,ng hut n wo. MT RI bo