Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-09-26
That Episode Of J. Gordon's
By IDA M. SHEPLER
'coDyriqht. 1911. by Associated Literary press.)

know, always squawks If anybody
comes in the house. See? It's her
safeguard against burglars Poor
thing, IL were so afraid of burglars
Id marry a-well, a great, big brave
man."
Her laugh was catching, her smile
irresistible, and ]. Gordon found him
self planning little tricks with her on
That goose, to the vexation of it's own
er. Over half the time they held it
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 well she
played the piano. Each night ]. Cor
don went to sleep to sweet tones float
ing in at his open window, and each
morning awakened to the same He
mad not known Mrs Mumford could
sing.
Twice ]. Gordon, how, he never
! could tell was tolled over to the Mum
lord veranda, and each time came away
wondering If it were possible for
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 Jim. 1t was not pretense at
love Oh his part, now. 1t was a genu-
Inc case to be fought out as ne would
fight it. He would go away.
Next n orning, 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 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
J eyes. In fact the change that had
come into her face was actually start
ling. He was glad OF It, 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; 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 elation ]. 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
L
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? Will
! you help us eat it, If l roast it?"
Come here. very close" he called
across the fence.
When she came, ignoring the goose
question, he asked: why did you al
low me to call you Mrs Mumford? l
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
| yes.