Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-02-09

If they had only known, Doxie
would not have minded their mention
ing the name of Howard Bunderman,
to whom she had nee been almost en-
gagged to be married, nor of Lucy
Moore, who had been the village belle
and madcap who had got Howard
away from DoXie and married him,
some said, out Of pure love of mischief,
1t was known that Lucy bitterly re-
pented of her wickedness, for her hus-
band did not love her as dearly us he
did Doxie Turner, yet never by look or
deed did he betray himself. But Lucy
Bunderman knew. The postmistress
said that Lucy had written a letter to
Doxie once after her marriage, when
she had gone out to Omaha to live, and
that a letter from Doxie Turner had
passed through the office in reply.
That was all. Nobody v knew what
Doxie Turner thought about the mat
ter. She always looked the same, tall
and fair and sweet, with wistful blue
eyes that never overlooked q duty I'M
done.
Now she suddenly arose from her
chair with a little exclamation of dis
may. She opened the door into the
sitting room where Grandmother
Turner sat in the sunny bow window
knitting f~uriously at a long white
stocking.
Apple wood logs were singing and
sizzling in the drum stove, and there
was the pleasant odor Of cedar from
the old lady's open cedar chest.
"About time you took your tonic,
grandma suggested Doxie. 81 forgot
all about it. Have you been lonesome
in here?"
mot q mite, Doxie. I'm too busy to
be lonesome. l heard Beulah Norton's
voice in the kitchen, and 1 was scarf to
death afraid she'd come in here. I
can't abide her!!" Mrs. Turner jabbed
her needles into the wool and paused
for breath. Her black eyes sought her
granddaughter's face with a keen in
quiry.
whats the news, Doxie' Some
things happened-your face is real
pink"
81 guess it was the spiced cider I've
been drinking" evaded Doxie us she
moved to and fro preparing the tonic.
"Beulah was real cold when she came
In. and I heated some cider, and, be-
sides, the Kitchens getting most too
hot
whats the newS?" persisted Mrs.
Turner, making n horrible face over
the medicine.
You know Estelle and Captain Lees
went to the city and got married last
Saturday,
"Of course l know. Doxie Turner!
You told me yourself! I guess I know
what Beulah Norton came up to tell
you" She looked narrowly at the
Younger m
what them" asked Doxie def1antly.
Mrs. Turner folded her wrinkled
hands and looked out Of the window.
"Beulah came up to tell you that
Howard Bunderman had come back.
I've known it eve since he came.
DOXie. Somebody run in and told me
when you was down to the postofice.
I feel dreadful sorry for that poor fell
low. l guess he had a hard row to
hoe with Lucy Moore, though | bet he
tried to do his duty by her. And after
she got him | guess she wasn't real
happy over the way she'd treated you.
They say before she died she named
the second little girl after you
"After me"" Doxie's face radiated
with a strange glow. did Lucy name
her little girl after me?"
yes snapped grandmother sternly.
"'Twas the least she might do after
making so much trouble all around.
Lucy wanted to marry Jim Turrell.
but he didn't are for her. so she got
around Howard and married him for
spite. She was Il clever n She fixed
it so he couldn't get ont Of it. and
first thing Howard knew he was en-.
gagged to her instead of you"
"How did you know?"
"It came direct from Lucy herself
returned Mrs. Turner with dignity.
DOXie opened the stove door and
looked at the fire. The red glow shonc
on her sweet face and discovered her
blue eyes wet with tears.
Something else I never told you,
Doxie," resumed Mrs. Turner. knitting
busily Before Howard married Lucy
Moore he came here and told me all
about it. He said he knew it looked
as if he was a coward and Il villain
and he asked me what do do. He said
he didn't like anybody but you and
hosl p,.n I,n In g IN ,nnptsin1 ~