Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-02-15
The
.onquerers

can hardly wait now to see Mr.. Bas-
com. He's coming tonight to take me
home. l hardly know how I've ever
managed to remain away from James
all this time. Really, James and l are
a ridiculously devoted couple"
A little self-conscious laugh rippled
over the full face and gently shook her
plump shoulders. I'm awfully depend
ent upon Mr.. Bascom," she went on.
'Indeed, he quite makes a baby of
me. It's really beautiful, isn't it, how
great, strong man loves to pet the lit
tie woman who belongs to him?"
She glanced at Miss Winters, the
only unmarried woman in the group,
who, being thus appealed to, said:
eyes, suppose it is beautiful" Her
tone was not one Of conviction.
Dear me, Mrs Bascom, you should
MT complain of your brief separation
from Mr.. Bascom," remarked the wom-
an with little girl in her lap. you've
been here only two weeks, and I've
been away from home nearly all sum-
mer. l never would have done it if
Mr.. Collins hadn't just insisted that
baby and needed the country air But,
thank goodness, he's coming tonight,
too.
Edwards the most unselfish man
that ever lived, l do believe l know
he's been absolutely desolate this sum-
mer. l really think the loneliness of
our apartment has affected his health.
He expected to take vacation and
come up in August, but he simply
couldn't get away. He's remarkable
business man. No one in the office
can take his place."
She Rugged her little girl and turn
ed to Miss Winters with smile.
| ''Isn't it wonderful how some men will
work for their wives and children?"
ut certainly isl responded Miss
Winters mechanically.
II often say to Edward that can't
understand why some rich girl didn't
marry him for his good looks He's
| the handsomest man, Miss Winters!
Some times wonder how he ever hap
pened to pick out poor little me-"
My husband is extremely fine look
ing, too," said Mrs. Bascom, land he
has brilliant mind. Indeed, his in
telligence overshadows mine, and, to
tell you the truth, he's bit master
full in his way now and then. But
we women need some one to lean on.
We realize that our husbands know
better than we do about many impor-
tant matters, so we ought to defer to
them. Don't you think so, Miss Win,
ters?"
81 do" agreed Mrs Collins, before
Miss Winters had come to frame an
answer. 81 say to Edward that he
must decide everything for baby and
ne. He's the captain of our little
family craft. Dear me, Miss Winters
it must be hard for you sometimes
!, not to have man to assume respon.
sibilities. But, of course, girls-un
married women-are quite independent
nowadays" she added, with patroniz
ing kindness.
"Oh, manage to rub along" return
ed Miss Winters, but she rose from
her seat and strolled away. Although
she knew herself to be a busy and
happy woman, she could not help feel
ing solitary in the presence of such en-
thusiastic wives.
A brisk tramp around the lake
brought back her usual good spirits
and it was only with a mild envy that
she saw, as she neared the hotel al
DUSK one of her companions of ar
hour or two earlier hurrying down the
driveway to meet the village buss. She
paused in the shadow of tree in or
der not to intrude upon what she fell
8 would be tender reunion between
a husband and wife.
She was startled to see a fat. bald
headed man alight from the bus ant
D give Mrs. Collins most casual kiss.
+ 'Well, l got here at last" he sale
jovially. q thought I'd run up ant
see if you'd like to stay during the
autumn. You can just as we'll as not
I'm getting along tiptop"
Was this the devoted husband who
was pining away in the city for the
wife of his bosom? Miss Winters
asked herself this question with in
ward laughter.
Then she saw Mrs Bascom stridine
. down the path with red headed mar
following her as meekly as pet lamb
Could that be the intellectual giant
on whose wisdom his wife depended
for her guidance? Miss Winters sank
upon the grass and rolled about in 6
paroXysm of mirth.
And l was almost sorry for my
state of single blessedness," she said
to herself as she rose and went to
ward the hotel in joy and thankfulness