Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-09-21

Shiiih6 iduihht, III pun 0ho
white. Never had he seen her SO
beautiful as now. and SO friendly and
merry. What a change the departure
Of her husband had brought about In
her nature. Then she began:
That goose has eaten all our late
strawberries, tho hired girl tells me.
Isn't 1t awful? We found out why the
woman down the avenue keeps It.
She's an old maid. and SO afraid Of
burglars. but more afraid Of dogs
says they all have hydrophobia. but
geese never do. Cant inoculate them
with 1t In any way. And a goose. you.
know. always squawks II anybody
comes In the house. See? It's her
safeguard against burglars. Poor
thing, II / were SO afraid Of burglars
Id marry a-well. q great. big brave
man."
Her laugh was catching. her smile
irresistible, and J. Gordon found him.
self planning little tricks with her on
that goose. to the vexation Of its own
er. Over half the time they held 1t
for ransom. which ransom the poor
woman would send by her maid. and
which money Mrs. Mumford would
send back.
And how she sang and how we'll she
played the piano! Each night J. Cor
don went to sleep to sweet tones float
ing in at his open window. and each
morning awakened to the m He
had not known Mrs. Mumford could
sing.
Twice j. Gordon, how, he never
could tell was tolled over to the Mum
ford veranda. and each time came away
wondering II it were possible for q
man Of his regulated mind to fall in
love with another mans wife.
A few more days of this merry sub
urban friendship and he pulled himself
together to fee the spot, for he real
lied just the power she was exercis-
Ing over him. 1t was not pretense at
love on his part. now. 1t was a genu-
inc case to be fought out as he would
fight it. He would 60 away.
Next morning, after this resolve, he
saw Mr.. Mumford on his veranda. He
was home again.
Out in the bushes Mrs. Mumford
was silently trimming some small
shrubs. Mrs. Mumford, her dress Of
subdued color, her manner retiring.
She raised her eyes to him, then nod.
ded demurely.
He spoke to get a look into her eyes.
They had surprised him. He had
thought them blue. but they were a
dark hazel now. "Mr. Mumford Is
back" She glanced up and he had
an excellent glance into the changed
yes. In fact the change that had
come into her face was actually start.
ling. He was glad Of 1t. Better could
he forget her now. But why the
changer"
Yes" she replied, I'VE came back
last night. He went two days before
| did. Some business took him a little
out of the way. We had a delightful
vacation. Bell says you helped her
pass some of the lonely hours: l thank
you. She kept house for me-"
Bell" Light was breaking. "Your
twin sister,"
"Oh. no. | never had a twin sister.
Bell Is my cousin. They do say we
look very much alike"
And so they did, lacking the viva,
city. the blueness of eye, the pink of
cheek and lips on the part of Mrs.
Mumford. These were the cousins
charm. And Bell was not married.
With citation J. Gordon guessed it.
and guessed right.
She was coming along the path
humming. Catching sight Of him. she
called:
The woman with the goose as body
guard wasn't an old maid. She was 4
charming young widow. Yesterday
she was married, and this morning she
sends me the goose with her compli.
ments. What am | to do with It? VIII
you help us eat 1t, II l roast it,"
Come here, very close" he called
across the fence.
When she came, ignoring the COOS
question, he asked: why did you al.
low me to call you Mrs. Mumford? I
came pretty close to falling In love
with another mans wife,"
"Ah. no, you didn't. No danger of
that. You simply fell in love with
me, and" she paused. her eyes allur-
ing.
rs It all right that | did?" And now,
across the fence his right hand was
reaching out to her. She nodded.