The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-01-09

ton, VINO nad been ner sweetheart
years and years ago?
No doubt he had forgotten all about
heH-the boy and girl sweethearts-
what did they matter to busy man?
She would never let him see 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 a sense of desolation that
little Millie, brother Johns orphaned
baby, had grown up. When she came
out presently into the soft spring sun
SET there was a look Of grim COM
posture 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 a tune, but ceased in
little while and smiled bitterly to
remember that the man out there
walking with Mile had serenaded her
with that little song-a love song it
was, she remembered now-so long
ago.
It had grown too dark for her work
and still Miss Nancy knelt beside the
peav!nes, her pan not half filled. It
was the sound of their voices that
startled her from her revery. They
were strolling slowly back, close along
the garden fence.
"And 80 you think you and Jack are
In love with one another" said the
man, refiectively "And afraid to tell
Miss Nancy! It makes me laugh to
think of 1t, Millie-two such babies as
you and Jack"
I'm eighteen" said Mile, in eager
disclaimer; "and Jacks twenty three"
"Yes-it's been good many years"
the man sighed. simply. "MillIe1
wonder-do you think Miss Nancy ever
cared anything for me?"
Mile paused and wheeled around,
facing him In the uncertain light. :.
Aunt Nancy?" she cried. why,
whatever made you think of that?
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, Mile. l couldn't help
looking at her this evening and think
lag 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 rept through
the dark, and found her trembling way
into Miles room, struck match and
lit the lamp. The mirror on the little
dresser gave back reflection OF a
woman, her lips parted. a frightened,
joyful look In her eyes.
The astonished mirror saw Miss
tight coil and pile it up awkwardly
again. In trembling haste. Little
fluffy curls and tendrils broke out
around her temples, and the light
cleaned in them. II she only had a
pretty ribbon, now-but she had only
one, for Sundays, and 1t was black. It
had been years since she had worn any
but black ribbon-and SIS for looks,
who cared how she looked? Had she
not told herself that a thousand
timesf
Even while she was saying 1t again,
she pulled down a drawer the least
little bit. A pink ribbon. one OF Mil
lies ribbons, lay at the very top. II
she only dared-would they laugh at
her for trying to appear young. when
youth was 50 long gone by?
Mile 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. Mile cast one amazed
look at her, and discreetly fed, but
the man moved toward Ter, half-un-
consciously, holding out his hands.
why, Nannie!" he cried. Nan
MEL"
Years had slipped from Miss Nancy's
life.
Mile didn't know Lon," she said.