The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1914-02-12


valentine" muttered Abel Dycks as he
opened his kitchen door and turned
away from the evening sky.
Within the warm, coy room he could
see the trim form of his uncle's widow.
Lizzie Dycks. who kept house for him.
ITS coming out colder. Aunt Liz
Zie," he said as he removed his outdoor
things.
$50 Imogen says" flung Aunt Lizzie
over her shoulder as she opened the
oven door.
'Imogen.' Abel wheeled about and
stared at his aunt "Imogenr' he re-
peated stupidity.
calling me?" There was a swish of
silken skirts as Abel's pretty half cous-
in glided into the kitchen. She held
out slender hands glittering with cheap
rings. \ deep rose glOwed in her thin.
was pressed i'm a straight hard line.
Her black eyes had lost their old time
softness. 1t was as if the past three
years behind the counter of city de-
partment store had incaSed her i'm
brittle armOr of resistance to all soften
ing influences.
Abel shook bands with her and asked
perfunctOrily concerning her life i'm the
town. ImOgen chartered gayly as she
flew about helping her mother place
supper on the table.
II didn't take any vacation last sum-
mer. and now I'm going to have two
weeks off" remarked ImOgen, glanc-
ing across the table at her cousins
grave. rugged cOuntenance.
Abel was more disturbed ut Imogen's
return than he dared to admit. He
had always known. although he had
had no positive proof of that fact that
ImOgen had come between him and
Dell Gordon. but how he could not
conceive. for Abel was slow 20 think
and knew little OF wOmen's wi'es
He had been almost engaged tn Dell.
There only remained the question to
be asked and answered for there was
perfect understanding between them.
Then he had intrusted tHe beautiful
question to the tender care OF good st.
Valentine. and from that day to this
Dell had ignored him-tnree long years
of heartbrcalling pain and self ques-
tioning
In some way he guessed that Imogen
had played him false. but there was
no tangible proof that he could lay
finger upon. Imogeh and her mother
were living in his home. and the girl
made no secret OF her liking for her
handsome cousin. After his estrange-
ment from Dell Gordon. Imogen went
away to the nearby city and seldom
came home.
'Do you remember Dell Gordon?"
asked Mrs Dycks. with assumed care
lessness.
Imogen laughed shrilly. "Of course I
do-known her all my life. haven't II"
81 dessay." went on Aunt Lizzie has
fly. Mrs. Gordon told me Dell has
gone to work in Wickersham's store.
She's going to help over Valentines
day. and If they like her maybe she
can stay right on. It's coincidence"
ain what way?" demanded Imogen.
Because it's Valentines day-she's
to work over st. Valentines day." re-
turned Lizzie significantly.
Abel raised his head and looked deep
into her frightened eyes. But he did
not speak.
"WeIl?" Imogen's face was terribly
white.
Lizzie Dycks' face was glorified in
the moment of her martyrdom.
at does seem as if the Lord had
planned it all. They say she lost her
beau on Valentines day. and maybe
maybe he put her in Wickersham's
this year SOS she'd have a chance to
get him back again"
Abers chair crashed back ON the
floor. He did not pause TO pick it up.
He spoke no word of apology.
The two women heard him stamping
into his boots. They knew when he
shrugged himself into the big bearskin
coat, and there was silence between
them until the gate latch clicked be-
hind his flying feet.
Then Lizzie Dycks lifted her pale
face from her shaking hands and look
ed at her daughter
Forgive me. Imogen." she pleaded
pitifully. Il had to do it,
ImOgen suddenly looked old.
You knew. then. mOther?" she wills
pered, with a dull blush.
Lizzie nodded. Il suspected-I didn't
know how. but | knew that you played
'em some trick that Valentines day"
''Oh, mother. MOTHER suddenly wall
ed Imogen. as she laid her dark head
against her mothers bosom.
The two women talked intimately
for several moments. Then Imogen
arose and slipped into warm wraps.
Her face was flushed. and her eyes
ShOne with soft briIliancy.
DO you want should go with you.
dear?" asked her mother tenderly.
'NO-no-mOther. you have had
enough to bear. After they are mar
RED you will come to me, and we will
make our home in Brushville" She
kissed Lizzie's cheek and was gone.
Outside. the moon was shining and
the north wind blew the powdery snow
in crisp. singing furries that sparkled
like diamond dust
Imogen ran over the creaking crust
of wilderness. now and then straining
her eyes TO discern Abel's dark form
ahead II she might confess to him
now. 1t would be easier than to admit
6'!IISsS