The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-04-24

they parted she was beautiful girl
and Ned was one of the hapdsomest
young men l ever met. was frequent.
" In Helen's room aud never failed tc
see her lovers picture in Il morocco
frame standing ON her dresser.
Twenty years passed while Helen
was waiting for Ned to get his affairs
in shape to marry her. Then one day
he made up his mind that his income
was sufficient for the purpose. She
had said that II he came even after
twenty years absence be would find
her ready 10 marry him. He would
come east and take her back with him.
When Jim showed me letter from
Ned announcing his coming we looked
at each other doubtfuly. The letter
contained Il reference to the beautiful
face that had patiently looked out
upon him from his bureau for so many
years. 1t was my belief that Ned was
thinking of marrying this young girl in.
stead of the faded. middle aged woman
that she had become Had he been
with her all this while the change
would have not been noticeable-at
least not shocking.
Men are not rs apt to grow old look.
ing as women. and quite likely Ned
had kept n youthful appearance. We
did not fear IIeen's being disappointed
in him. only his being disappointed in
her, for she looked ten years older than
she was. and her face had taken on n
disappointed expression. Her complex
ION was white: her hair was thin and
streaked with gray. She was certainly
not the woman Il man of his age would
choose for wife. He would naturally
prefer one from ten to twenty years
younger.
Ned did not write her that he was
coming. He wished to surprise her
So in his letter TO Jim he asked him
not to mention the matter to her
Don't you think. Jim | said. that
we had better give him Il sight of hei
without her knowing it: If he wishes
to go no further it will be better for
both of them that he should be free to
go back west without making himself
known"
Right you are, my dear Jim re-
piled. And I'm not sure but that we
should give Helen a peep at Ned un-
der the same conditions. / saw a man
from the west the other day who
knows Ned very well. He told me that
Ned was not fresh looking man at
all. He was nearly bald, and what
hair was left was white as snow.
This gives comparatively young man
a very old appearances
That's fortunate. He won't be so
likely to be disappointed with Helens
looks"
He won't. eh? He will be blind to
his imperfections. and she will be
blind to hers"
sighed. for l feared that Jim spoke
the truth.
When Ned arrived he went straight
to jim. happy after having waited so
many years ut the prospect of being
united with the love of his youth. Jim
came home from the meeting and told
me that Ned looked even older than he
had been described. He had talked en-
about Helens beautiful
features, the curves of her figure and
all that. Jim had asked him to dinner,
stating that would be glad to tell him
all about Helen. so that he might be
The better prepared to meet her after
heir long separation.
It occurred to me to invite Helen to
the house while Ned was there. tele-
phOned her that Jim was to have a
friend with him during the evening
md l would like her to come over and
lit with me.
When Ned saw me 1t was plain that |
lie was a bit shocked at the change |
n me. saw by his expression that
lie was thinking whether he would see |
he same change in Helen. He had |
apparently been disposed to chat with |
ne In the way of youngsters. such as
We were when we parted-indeed. he |
ried. but the effort was failure. |
Where, oh. where was that head Of
hick raven hair had admired so |
much? Where the white teeth, the |
lender figure? And life in q rough |
Ountry had roughened Ned. He was
ronzed and seemed to have forgotten
he kings English.
After dinner Ned and Jim smoked. |
etiring to another part Of the room.
Ielen came in. and we could both
ee and hear the men chatting.
"Who is that old boOr over there
With Jim?" asked Helen.
do you consider him a boor?" !
skcd.
Hes both disagreeable looking and
peaking."
This was my experience with Helen
inns experience with Ned was told
ne later Ned paid no attention to the
,dy chatting with me until Jim spoke
f her as friend Of mine and lovely
roman. Then. Ned gave her glance.
"Thc old lady looks ready to turn up
err toes. doesn't she?'
Helen went home. leaving Ned still
18th us. jim then told him he had
cen looking on his ladylove. Ned
,oked astounded. disappointed. then
frightened.
docs she know I'm here?" he asked.
mo: we have kept your secret"
~. AN n Ill |