Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-11-21
Ry ROTH GRAHAM

AtNltNNA- NNN ~ tNtNt StiNt w hiA
other train, hut rame ia advance, aud
there will be nv one to meet me, can
easily walk that distance"
1T will not Toe necessary. am go
ing in that direction, My carriage will
meet me, and | shall be happy to take
yon to Your destinations"
That's very kind of YOU tn n stran-
ger"
I'm only too glad to be Of service To
any friend OF the Rcck)ugS."
Il am n very old FREUD Of Win Rcck
ling. We were college chums."
HE has brought wife homo with
him from abroad. believe"
"leS, am going to make II short
visit with the express purpose OF meet
ing her"
II trust youll Hike her"
whether shall or not remains to be
seen, Is she niccE"
"Mr. Rocking doubtless thinks SO.
She Is rather straitlaced"
why, l heard she was just the on.
posite."
"Oh. you did? Please define what you
mean by the opposite"
81 heard she was great flirt before
Win married her"
The lady looked aside ut him. then
cast down her eyes. He remarked to
himself that. whatever Mrs. Reckling
might be, this person was inclined to
indulge In Il bit Of tiirting herself,
Before the two left the train his hand
had come in contact with hers on the
seat between them; he had clasped II.
and II was not withdrawn. At the sta
ton they entered her carriage and were
soon bowling along u road lined with
fine country places.
How would you like to pay me a
brief visit before going to the Reck.
lings?" snid the lady. You'll find II
dun there, Your host never comes out
until the o'clock train. and therell be
no one to entertain you. | know they
would be obliged to me for taking care
OF guest of theirs"
81 shall be delighted. But Mrs. Reck.
ling win be ut home. will she not?"
"No. | met her In the city while
shopping"
The gentleman was driven with the
lady to her home. After brief ab.
sence for n change from street to din
ner dress she reappearcd afternoon tea
was served and they sat chatting
$50 you heard Mrs. Rcckling was IA
tiirt, did you?"
"Only before marriage"
all that?"
"Oh, that's ns one feels about It,"
"Tm married"
"Indeedy'
Eyes. | liked good time when sin.
gle and now that I'm married don't
object to an innocent hirtation."
"Of course innocent"
He felt for her hand, but she arose
and asked him to 20 with her into her
garden. He followed and, plucking the
choicest flowers. she handed them to
him.
II shall have these preserved" he
said with fervor
Mrs. Reckling will give you another
and youll say the same thing to her"
"Not at NIL This meeting has rem.
dered any possibility Of Mrs. Reckling's
attracting me impossible"
She smiled, he thought. ironically.
lie was bending over her while she
was pucklng n rose and was about to
say something tender when there was
n rattle of wheels on the road. and
the lady. looking up at n coming two
wheeled cart driven by II gentleman.
said:
Here comes my husband; let US go
In. viii Introduce you"
MY name Is Forsythe'
THANK you"
They went inside The lady left
Mr.. Forsythe In the drawing room and
soon returned with the man from the
cart.
The guest started II was Winfield
Reckllng who burst into the room with
outstretched hand 10 welcome him.
WIN" said the lady. this Is your
friend Billy fOrsythe He says he
heard I'm n hrt, All | have to say IL
that If can beat him at the game III
have to get up pretty early In the
morning, He squeezed my hand on
the train"
Forsythe stood horror stricken his
face red as a lobster
"Oh, don't mind her Billy She
can't help it, She was born so"
As soon as the guest could recover
himself turning 10 Mrs Rcckling, he
said:
THAT you are witch I'll admit:
but | don't see how even witch can
know the name Of man she meets
casually In railway car without some
one telling her"
Dear me; and Win always said that |
you're so bright
How did you find II out. Bess?''
asked the husband
"Why. It's In great big black letters
on his suit case
Reckling laughed. and Forsythe's |
face broke into a shamefaced grin.