The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1914-02-06
WINIFRED'S
BEST YEARS
They Were Yet
to Come
BY ANNE HElLMAN.

Winifred Lane and Josiah Dent had
been lovers since their A Q days.
For seventeen years now she had worn
the ring he had 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 Winnies"
charge. Dicks second marriage had
brought 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
tiently. declaring always when Wini-
fred offered him his release that there
was but one woman in the world for
him, and Winifred had settled down to
cheerful performance Of daily duty.
frightened by the ''some day" that
would vet 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.
ton this will last" she said aloud as
she went slowly indoors.
How still it was. The children's
voices seemed to echo through the emp
ty rooms. Winlfreds eyes filled with
scalding tears.
YES" she said in tone which held
both regret and relief, they're gone
for good, and | 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 if 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 10
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 sur
shone bravely. Miss Lane went tc
evening service attired in the neat
gray dress and bonnet which had beer
purchased for her brothers seconC
wedding. twelve years ago. Feeling
lonely, she gladly accepted an invita-
ton from the minister's wife to u sea-
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 Il little going out. A casua
glance through the open door assured
her that he was waiting in the entry
as of old. She had nearly reached
him. In another minute she woulC
have slipped her hand within his arm
with the fond assurance of ownership
when blond head. surmounted by 9
bright red turban. came between them
and Josiah went down the steps witt
pretty Nettie Searles clinging to his
arm.
Miss Lane walked home through the
starlight alone. Lighting the lamp
she went directly to mirror anC
Sazed long and thoughtfully at the re
Election within. comparing it with the
girlish prettiness of the face beneath
the red turban. The glass refused Il
flatter. The angular form. the care
worn brow and hollow cheeks. the
lines about the patient mouth. all spok,
of burdens borne and labor accom-
pliShed.
1T isn't to be wondered at" Wini
fred said. with a sigh. us she stirred
the low lire and settled down to retro
spection and consideration.
My best years have gone and w,
got duh and uninterestin' in all THU
time"
Her first thought was one of renun
citation The freedom she had Offered
in years gone by she would freely Civ
now. But she thought of the futur
and hesitated Not on her own behal
self had been put entirely out of tn
question from the first But as sh
remembered tales of Mrs. Searles
housekeeping and the tiippant remark
she had heard from Nettie's lips sh
felt suddenly impelled to warfare y