The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-01-16

Goes her skill in housekeeping. I've no
right to shrink from trying to save
Josiah from a miserable home. His
one hope Is in my holdin' him fast to
our engagement, and, talk or no talk,
I'm going to do 1t.
"I'll spend the winter with Cousin
Emma" she decided. There amt a
soul in Bloomville knows her address.
Dick says she don't look within
dozen years as old as do. and she's a
year older. She always was real tasty.
Maybe l can pick up few hints from
her. Looks and dresses and general
up-to-dateness makes lots Of difference
to a man"
All the next day she toiled steadily
setting her house in order. And Tues
day morning while waiting for the ex-
pressman she penned note to her
recreant lover:
Dearest Josiah--I write to inform you
that / am well and expect to spend this
winter In the city. 1 leave today, so |
shall not have the pleasure of seeing you
before 1 go. But you will be constantly in
my thoughts. and your ring. as always,
will be my reminder of our engagement.
Yours until DEATH W1NIFRED.
sit will show him that I'm holdin'
him fast" meditated Miss Lane as the
train sped cityward. "And as didn't
give any address, he won't know where
to write. He isn't one to go very far
with that Searles girl until he breaks
with me. And he can't break with me
until he finds out where to send let
| ter"
Bloomville was golden with dande-
lions and white with apple blossoms
when Winifred Lane came home to her
| own. mot soul knows I've come"
she reflected as she unpacked the new
trunk. She sighed suddenly. "Well,
| by tomorrow shall know. He's had
the winter to consider in. and If he's
still set upon 1t I'll give him up"
Josiah Dent came up the church steps
with look of discomfort upon his
comely face. In the months that had
passed since Winlfred's disappearance
he had nursed growing sense of in,
| jury.
"'Tain't fair" he complained, keep
Ing fellow on the fence so. Her best
| years have been spent for Dick any
how. and a woman ages Eastern a
man. If she'd given me her address.
I'd have settled it months ago"
Josiah went up the aisle to his own
pew. Above the high back OF the min
| ister's pew there arose white sailor
hat swathed with an airy muslin scarf.
Beneath 1t soft waves of curling hair
| rippled across a brow from which all
traces Of care had been resolutely
smOothed away.
Josiah, watching with some curiosity
until. she turned her head slightly,
| caught the clear profile and noted the
soft color in her cheek. 1t was Wini-
fred. All at once there dawned upon
him the truth that immortal youth is
not at the mercy of added years and
that better than the passing beauty of
girlhood is that womanliness which
shall outlast the ages.
"I'm glad | didn't know where to
write" thought Josiah, with sense of
narrow escape and a growing feeling of
anxiety.
Winifred was unaware of his pres
ence until she heard his voice in the
closing hymn. AS the last notes ceased
she turned to him, smiling straight up
into his anxious face.
"Well. JOSIAH" she said.
And Josiah wondered why he had not
known before that raiment, whether 1t
be the unbecoming gray of past years
or the crisp muslin that seemed to give
back to him the love of his early years.
was not worthy of passing thought.
1t was the old Winifred who smiled up
at him out of those clear eyes. Nettie
Searles and the throng about them
were alike forgotten. He only thought
of the woman before him-the only wo-
man in the world for him-and all
Bloomyille had its answer to long
winter Of speculation and comment as
| he stopped to kiss her In the crowded
church. Winifred Lanes best years
! were yet TO come.