The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-02-13

opened his kitchen door and turned
away from the evening sky.
Within the warm, cozy 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. "lmogen" he re-
peated stupidity.
calling me?" There was u swish of
silken skirts as .Abel's pretty half cous-
in glided into the Kitchen. She held
out slender hands glittering with cheap
rings. A deep rose glowed in her thin,
dark face. and the scarlet of her lips
was pressed in u straight hard line.
Her black eyes had lost their old time
softncss. 1t was as if the. past three
years behind the counter of a city de-
partment store had incased her in a
brittle armOr of resistance to all soften
ing influences.
Abel shook hands with her and asked
perfunctorily concerning her life in the
town. lmogen chartered gayly as she
few about helping her mother place
supper on the table. ...
II didn't take any vacation last sun.
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 at 1mogen's
return than he dared to admit. He
had always known. although he had
had no positive proof of that fact. that
Imosen had come between him and
Dell Gordon. but how he could not
conceive. for Abel was slow to think
and knew little of women's wiles.
He had been almost engaged to Dell.
There only remained the question to
be asked and answered. for there was
rerfect understanding between them.
question to the tender care Of good st.
Valentine. and from that day to this
Dell had ignored him-three long years
of herrtbreaking pain and self Ques-
tioning.
In some way he guessed that 1mogen
had played him false. but there was
no tangible proof that he could lay a
finger upon. .Imogen 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. 1mogen went
away to the nearby city and seldom
came home. ~.
'Do you remember Dell Gordon?"
asked Mrs. Dycks. with assumed care
l%essness.
Imogen laughed shrllly. "Of course I
do-known her all my life. haven't II"
~ dessay." went on Aunt Lizzie has
tily. 'Mrs. Gordon told me Dell has
gone to work in Wickersham's store.
She's going to help over Valentines
day, and IL they like her maybe she
can stay right On. It's a coincidence"
"ln what way?" demanded Imogen.
because it's Valentines ~dayzshe's
to work W st. Valentines day" re.
turned Lizzie significantly.
Abel raised his head and looked deep
into her frightened eyes. But be did
not speak.
..'Well?" Imogen's; face was terribly
white.
Lizzie Dycks' face was giorthed In
the moment of her martyrdom.
ut does 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."
Abel's chair crashed back on the
door. 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 ut her daughter.
Forgive me. Imogen." she pleaded
pitifully. Il had to do It."
Imogen suddenly looked old.
"You knew. then. m0therY" she whis-
pered, with a dull blush.
Lizzie nodded. II suspected-I didn't
know how. but I knew that you played
'em some trick that Valentines day"
"Oh, mother. mothery' suddenly wall
ed ImOgen. as she laid her dark head
against her mothers bosom.
The two women talked intimately
for several moments. Then 1mogen
arose and slipped into warm wraps
Her face was flushed. and her eyes
sh0ne with soft %brilliancy.
DO you want I should 60 with you.
DEAR" asked her mother tenderly.
Il "No-no-mother, you have had
enough to bear. After they are mar.
ried you will come to me. and we viii
make our home In; B%rushville." She
.k1nSodt Tizzio,a check md wns rnnn III