The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-01-16
WINIFRED'S
BEST YEARS
They Were Yet
to Come
BY ANNE HEILMAN.

the ring he hnd sold his first colt to
buy. Together they had "stood up for
her brother Dick and Eliza at Dicks
first wedding, while all the assembled
company commented upon them and
looked forward to another wedding.
Her fathers failing health had
brought the first postponement. Then
Dick came home widower and his
delicate baby became Aunt Winnie's''
charge. Dicks second marriage had
brought a CLEAN Of hope. But Julia
Rebecca declined to live on the farm.
and Dick bought a place in another
town. leaving to his sister the care of
her mother and the farm. Six years
later Mother Lane and Julia Rebecca
had both died in the same week. and
Dick. cheerfully consigning his orphan
brood to his sisters care. had taken an
extended trip west.
Through it all Josiah had waited pa
uently. declaring always when Wini-
fred offered him his release that there
him, and Wlnlfred had settled down to
cheerful performance of daily duty,
frightened by the "sOme day" that
would yet be hers.
The patiently awaited day seemed
! near at hand on this dull November
afternoon. Richard Lane had unex-
pectedly appeared at his sisters home
accompanied by his third wife. and
without any unnecessary delay had
taken his children to the western town
In which he was located.
| Miss Lane stood on the front veranda
and watched the loaded wagon drive
away. "Dick hasn't had any kind of
luck with wives so far. but I've no
tion this will last" she said aloud as
she went slowly indoors.
How still 1t was The children's
voices seemed to echo through the emp
ty rooms. Winifred's eyes filled with
scalding tears, ~
Yes" she said in tone which held
both regret and relief, they're gone
for good. and l s'pose I'm free at last.
OF course he'll hear" she continued
presently. Maybe he'll be over to-
night. I'd better tidy up"
Miss Lane lit the parlor lamp and.
after little hesitation. pinned on her
| best lace collar. It'll do no harm
even II nobody comes" she argued to
herself.
But the clock struck 8 and 8, and no
one came. HE hasn't heard yet" she
assured herself as she went to bed.
The vigil was repeated the next even
ing and the next. Winifred became
perplexed.
"When Dick married his second Jo-
siah was here before tea time" she
reflected. But won't begin TO worry
until Sunday" she sensibly determin-
ed Josiah II be at church. and he'll
hear about Dick"
Sunday was ushered In with driz-
zling rain, but in the afternoon the sun
shone bravely. Miss Lane went to
evening service attired in the neat
gray dress and bonnet which had been
purchased for her brothers second
wedding, twelve years ago. Feeling
lonely, she gladly accepted an invita-
tion from the minister's wife to a seat
In the front pew. She could not see
Josiah, but she felt his presence two
pews behind, and his deep voice In the
hymns sent thrills Of pride to her low
ing heart.
With pardonable coquetry, she lin
gered little going out A casual
her that he was waiting in the entry
as of old. She had nearly reached
him. In another minute she would
have slipped her hand within his arm
with the fond assurance OF ownership
when n blond head. surmounted by a
bright red turban, came between them.
and Josiah went down the steps with
pretty Nettie Searles clinging to his
arm.
Miss Lane walked home through the
starlight alone. Lighting the lamp,
she went directly to mirror and
gazed long ano thoughtfuIly at the re-
fiection within. comparing 1t with the
girlish prettiness OF the face beneath
the red turban. The glass refused to
fiatter. The angular form. the care
worn brow and hollow cheeks, the
lines about the patient mouth. all spoke
of burdens borne and labor accom-
plisbed.
1T isn't to be wondered at" Wini-
fred said, with sigh, as she stirred
the low fre and settled down to retro.
spection and consideration.
MY best years have gone and I've
got dull and uninterestin' in all this
time" Ai43 epif
Her frst thought was one OF renun-
citation. The freedom she had offered
In years gone by she would freely give
now. But she thought of the future
and hesitated. Not on her own behalf
--self had been put entirely out OF the
question from the first. But as she
remembered tales of Mrs. Searles'
housekeeping and the tiippant remarks
she had heard from Nettie's lips she
felt suddenly impelled to warfare Oh
Josah's behalf.
Red cheeks and dimples can't in
sure comfortable home," Miss Lane
decided sagely. IF 1t was any nice
girl that's been well brought up
wouldn't hesitate minute. But all
Bluomville knows that Nettie's reputa-
ton for dressing and flirting far out.