Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-05-03


most of them was widowed and worth
less. He's had the furniture all pol
ished and the walls papered and new
chandeliers for Electricity put in. The
floors are hard wood, and he's bought
new rugs and lots Of new things"
mfr. wixom says he's buying stock
for the farm" remarked Mrs. wixom
eagerly
Yes, and they say he's going to farm
1t again on the same scale as he did
before. There's lan'scape man a.fix-
ing up the ground and guess it'll be
the handsomest place in Upper Village
now" continued Harriet enthusiasts
tically
Like as not he's going to be mar
RED" remarked Adeline Dare. voieing
the unspoken thought of the other
women.
who do you suppose is the one?"
asked Mrs Wixom curiously. The 9th.
er women We're silent.
II don't know remarked Adeline
spitefully. "but guess know several
who amt the ONE
Miss Paine laughed scornfully. Its
well for them who realize they amt
got no chance to up and say so"
The widow Dare flushed angrily and
turned her lit;lc gray eyes upon her
tormentor And there's them who
amt never had chance and never
win who don't never say die,'
Esther Fray looked with distressed
eyes upon the quarrefmg women. To
her delicate sensibilities the coarse
ness OF their arguments was like so
many singing blows, and she longed
to escape to the quiet little cottage
where she had lived alone for many
years. The meeting had not adjourn
ed, however. and timid Esther dareo
not make the first move. which might
attract attention to herself.
The irrepresslble Miss Paine glared
angrily at Adeline Dare and opened
| her thin lips TO deliver singing re-
tort, when Mrs. wixom broke In has.
tily,
"Queer how he set to work all OF ?
| sudden. wasn't 1t? You remember
| that night we was all attacking about
| It In the church parlor here. and the
| very next day Homer Byrd went to
New York. and when he came back he
| had the men with him."
"Sure enough and-I declare, ! never
| thought about II till this minute" said
old Mrs. Smithers eagerly, but John
said when he come out Of the meeting
that night he went around TO see IL the
back blinds was closed and there sat
Homer Byrd on his little iron seat
a-looking at the grave which he'd Gov
cred with white laylocks. John didn't
say nothing. but jest tiptoed back
again"
''That seat is most under the church
windows" volunteered Mrs. Wixon In
| a strained whisper
There was 30 reply. The members
of the little group which had occupied
the corner by the window on thai
memorable night looked at one anotll-
er furtivcly. Esther Fray was Won
dering with FACILITATING heart what she
| had said that might have betrayed the
diffident interest she had always taken
| in the silent, grief stricken man who
had been the subject of discussion.
She hoped none of the others would
remember that she bad arisen to de
fend him.
Miss Harriet Paine laughed harshly
I'm willing to stand by what I've said
about Homer Byrd" she said, with q
reckless shrug of her shoulders Il
guess Esther herell stand in his good
graces as well as anybody. She spoke
right up for him"
"Oh, Esther amt bothering about nc
men," interpolated Mrs. Wixom. with
good natured appreciation OF Esther's
confusion. We don't want her te
either II we lose our sch0olteachel
| don't know what the children will
do"
To Esthers relief the meeting wat
called to order for another brief bust
ness session. and when il had finally
adjourned she slipped out and away 4
her little cottage with perturbation
; that was unusual. She wished tina
she had not opened her lips to defend
Homer Byrd. for 1t had only attract
; ed unwelcome attention 10 herself.
, Homer Byrd continued TO beautif.
his house and grounds with unabatet
zeal. He worked early and late will
, the Iaborers and was here, Their
and everywhere His bent shoulder
: Strengthened, his contracted ehes
broadened with the deep breaths o
: wholesome air that lie inhaled, hl
eyes Frightened and his step took ol
the elasticity Of youth. for. after all
Homer Byrd was young man In bi
. forties, and when October came Their
: was considerable hustle about th
place when the scanty crops from tn
late seasons planting were garnered.
cit needs mistress now" sal
: Homer Byrd, with a troubled look l
his eyes. and that night be dresse
himself with unusual care and wen
! calling. And he went calling on othe
nights thereafter. to the undated il
terest Of Upper Village.
so II was Esther Fray after all
!. gabbled Harriet Paine after the wes
!, ding was over and the happy pair ha
! departed through the new gates. abos
which hung a cluster of electric light
!, "and expect Esther II be fool enoue
: TO go up with him and put flowers c
Mary Byrd's grave. just as he's a
. ways done"
j. And so she was. and there were fe
/, In Upper Village that understood sa'
I Esther and Homer and Mary Byrd.
MANY SUFFERERS from nasal catarrh 8
they get SPLENDID results By using o.