The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-07-23

parcels. The size and number of the
parcels no less than the jaded looks
of the women amused Anne. Every
body was exchanging condolences With
everybody else.
Thank goodness" thought Anne,
that l have no companion. Think Of
riding sixty miles and listening to
such jargon all the way. l shouldn't
sleep again in a week. a days shop
ping of your " is hard enough with
out having to hear about other peo-
piles. Not one of those women is as
perfectly suited as 1. And there's no.
body to dictate as to the appropriate
ness or serviceability Of my purchases,
and no one to grumble about my
spending SO much on mere clothes. So
far I am fortunate. But"
She sighed. 1t was rather stupid
after all going home to just Dorothy
and Mrs. Mccain. Dorothy would
smile over her yards and yards OF
would exclaim over the gay petticoat.
IF You think it's not too young for
an old lady like myself, darlin'." But
they would not care particularly about
her things. because after all Mrs. Nc
Cam was only the housekeeper and
Dorothy was her schoolgirl daughter
who helped III at light tasks when
there was need. They performed 10y
al service and We're paid for it. Even
the big black cat, Omar Khayyam.
seemed nearer.
He'll be waiting on the front steps
for me when I drive up in the cab"
Anne thought, and he'll rub against
me cry and leave a lot of his
long silken hair on my tailored skirt,
for. with all the brushings he gets. he
does shed his hair dreadfully. He'll
lead me into the house and go to sleep
Immediately upon his cushion and
stay asleep until Dorothy puts a sau-
Ger of milk under his nose. For he's
only a cat. and he can't understand
human loneliness or longing" She bit
her lip %savagely. "Oh, dear me, 1
ought to be the happiest woman in the
world going home after a successful
days buying of pretty clothes to such
a perfectly comfortable household as
Omar n Dorothy and Mrs. Mccain
make for me-"
far from being the happiest woman in
the world. All day she had been
struggling with a warm of memories
that had persistently tormented her.
For in her life. as in the life of every
mature woman, had been the n mar
above all desired OF her, and on a
spring day in Westmore she had lost
him forever. 1t had all come of a
moments jealousy and girl anger. but
she had sent him to the very woman
she feared. Anne had never again
seer or heard a thing concerning him.
She had been left with a life long re-
greet, to make the best of it.
Other men had come and been sent
about their business. She would have
none Of them. AS the years passed
Tracey Talbot had become something
more than a memory; he had become
the ideal which she cherished. OF all
women alive she envied his wife most.
Tracey Talbot's wife must be a happy
and fortunate woman. She had been
handsome to begin with-far hand
somer than Anne-and Anne pictured
her as growing ripper and lovelier
every year There was nothing like
contentment with ones lot to make a
woman bloom. Cherished and ador-
ed, Mrs. Talbot must by this time
have become an ample. charming
worlds geniality and her husbands
heart. Tracey Talbot had been a
wonderful lover. How much more
wonderful then must he he as a hus-
band? No man living could compare
with him, in Anne's estimation.
II ought to have married him. she
thought. witsfully. What a fool I
was! But I've been thoroughly pun
ished."
She turned her face to the window
and gazed u into the darkness as she
sighed heavily.
Beg pardon. but may I sit down
here? There seems to be no other
seat"
Anne glanced up half startled at
the mans abrupt Intrusion. At the
same time she made room for him by
withdrawing still farther into a cor
ner. "
Suddenly the newcomer exclaimed:
why. is 1t possible? Anne Dtllon!"
Anne's heart seemed to turn over.
fShe tried to murmur something as
she held u her hand u%nsteadily. He