The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-07-10

white dress-Judge Wade episode that
Aunt Adeline had gone to all the
friends up and down the street to be
consoled about, 'if you haven't got
sense enough to appreciate your pres
to operate on your mind"
was tempted to say, why not my
hearth" | was glad she didn't know
how good that heart did feel under my
tucker when the boy brought that bas-
ket of fish from Judge Wade's fishing
trip Saturday. have firmly deter
mined not to blush any more at the
thought of that gorgeous man--at least
outwardly.
Don't you think it Is very-very
lonely to be widow, Mrs. JohnsonT
i asked timidly to see what she would
say about Mr.. Johnson, who is really
lovely, l think. He gives me the gen.
tlest understanding smile when he
meets me on the street of late weeks.
Lonely, lonely, Molly? You talk
about the married state exactly like
an old maid. Don't do tits foolish,
and you will get the lone notion really
fastened in your mind and let some
feel. Then it will be all over with you.
l have only one regret. and it is that
if ever should be a widow Mr.. John
son wouldn't be here to see how quick
ly | turned into an old maid. by the
grace Of Cod Mrs. johnson sews by
assassinating the cloth with the needle.
and as she talked she was mending the
sleeve of one of Mr.. JOhnson's shirts.
'T think an old maid is just wo-
man who has never been in love with
man who loves her. Lots Of them
have been married for years." l said.
just as innocently as the soft face of
pan Of cream and went on darning
one of Billy's socks.
well, be that as it may, they are
the blessed members of the women
tribe" she answered. looking at me
sharply. "Now have often told Mr..
Johnson But here we were inter-
rupted In what might have been the
rehearsal of a glorious scrap by the
appearance of Aunt Bette Pollard.
and with her came long, tall, lovely
vision of a woman in the most wonder
full close clingy dress and hat that you
wanted to eat on sight. I hated her
instantly with the most intense adora-
ton that made me want to lie down at
her feet, and also made me feel like
pounds that l have slaved of me and
doubled them on again. l would have
liked to lead her that minute into DR..
Johns Office and just to have looked at
him and said one word--"string bean!'
Aunt Betty introduced her as Miss
Chester from Washington.
''Oh, my dear Mrs. Carter, how glad
1 am to meet your she said as she
lowered over me in a willowy way, and
her voice was lovely and cool almost
to slimness. II am the bearer of so
many gracious messages that I am
anxious to deliver them safely to you.
Not six weeks ago / left Alfred Ben
nett in Paris, and really-really his
greetings to you almost amounted to
steamer luggage. He came down to
Cherbourg to see me off, and almost
the last thing he said to me was, Now,
don't fail to see Mrs. Carter as soon as
you get to Hillsboro, and the more you
see of her the more you'll enjoy your.
visit to Mrs. Pollard Isn't he the
most delightful of menT She asked
me the question, but she had the most
wonderful way Of seeming to be talk
ing to everybody at one time, so Mrs.
Johnson got in the first answer.
Delightful, nothing! But AL Ben
nett is man Of sense not to marry
any of the string Of women l suppose
he's got following him." she said, Miss
Chester looked at her in a mild kind of
wonder, but she went on numbering
Mr.. Johnsons shirt sleeve with the
needle without noticing the glance at
all.
"Well, well, honey, l don't know
about that" said Aunt Bette as she
famed and rocked her great, big, dar-
ling, fat self in the strong rocker
always kept in the breezy angle Of the
porch for her. "Al is not old enough
to have proved himself entirely, and
from what | hear
She paused with big, hearty smile
that she always wears when she be-
gins to tease or matchmake, and she
does them both most of her time.
But at whom do you suppose she
looked? Not me! Miss Chester! That
was cold tub No. 2 for that day, and
didn't react as quickly as might, but
when l did | was in the proper glow
all over. When revived and saw the
lovely pale blush on her face felt like
cabbage rose beside teabud. | was
glad Aunt Adeline came out on the
porch just then so | could go In and
tell Judy to bring out the iced tea and
cakes. When came from the kitchen
stepped into my room and took out
one of Alfred's letters from the desk
drawer and opened it at random, as
you do the Bible when you want to
decide things, and put my finger down
on line with my eyes shut. This was
what it was:
and all these years have walked
the world, blindfolded to its loveliness