The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-17

we're, dlgnlhed, to
meet Alonzo Bur
ton, who had been her sweetheart
years and years ago?
No doubt he had forgotten all about
her-the boy and girl sweethearts-
what did they matter to busy man?
She would never let him sec that she
remembered.
And the hour had passed, and now
he had gone walking with pretty Mil
lie through the orchard and across the
meadow. And as Miss Nancy watched
them away, holding the curtains with
that trembling hand, she all at once
realized with sense Of desolation that
little Millie, brother Johns orphaned
baby, had grown up. When she came
out presently into the soft spring sum
set, there was a look of grim COM
posure on her face. She reckoned
proudly with herself that nothing was
altered in her level, hard.working life
She knelt down beside the row of pea
vines, humming tune but ceased in
little while and smiled bitterly to
remember that the man out there
walking with Millie had serenaded her
with that little song-a love song 1t
was, she remembered now-so long
ago.
1t had grown too dark for her work
and still, Miss Nancy knelt beside the
peaviaee, her pan not half filled. 1t
was the sound of their voices that
startled her from her revery. They
were strolling slowly back, close along
the garden fence.
And SO you think you and Jack are
in love with one another" said the
man, rehectively. And afraid to tell
Miss Nancy. 1t makes me laugh to
think Of It, Millie-two such babies as
you and Jack"
I'm eighteen" said Millie, in eager
disclaimer; ''and Jacks twenty-three. :"
"Yes-its been a good many years" :"
the man sighed, simply. "Millie-I
wonder-do you think Miss Nancy ever
| cared anything TOT me!
Millie paused and wheeled around,
facing him in the uncertain light.
Aunt Nancy?' she cried why,
whatever made you think of that? l
haven't heard her say-but | shouldn't
think Aunt Nancy had ever loved any.
body"
Il wish | knew he said. obviously,
and in deep detection. There amt
many like her, Millie. couldn't help
looking at her this evening and think
ing how pretty she was, after all these
years. And you don't think-she never
seemed like she cared for anybody"
They had paused beside the garden
gate, and their voices sank lower.
After awhile Miss Nancy crept through
the dark, and found her trembling way
into Miles room, struck a match and
lit the lamp. The mirror on the little
dresser gave back a reflection OF a
woman, her lips parted. frightened,
joyful look in her eyes.
The astonished mirror saw Miss
Nancy snatch her hair down from its
tight coil and pile it up awkwardly
again, in rembliung haste Little
fluffy curls and tendrils broke out
around her temples, and the light
cleaned in them. If she only had a
pretty ribbon, now-but she had only
one, for Sundays, and it was black. 1t
had been years since she had worn any
but black ribbon-and as for looks,
who cared how she looked? Had she
not told herself that thousand
times?
Even while she was saying it again,
she pulled down drawer the least
little bit. A pink ribbon, one of Mil
lies ribbons, lay at the very top. II
she My dared-would they laugh at
her for trying to appear young, when
| youth was SO long gone by?
Millie had . light in the kitchen and
was talking merrily with the guest
when the door softly and shyly opened.
and Miss Nancy stood there, pink-rib-
/ boned, flushing. Millie cast one amazed
look at her, and discreetly fed, but
the man moved toward her, half-un-
consciously, holding out his hands.
why, Nannie!" he cried. Nan
MEL"
Years had slipped from Miss Nancy's
life.
"Millie didn't know Lon" she said.