Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-07-07

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the air with a homesick longing for
the little middle west village where he
was born.
For there was a flower garden here
that boosted all the sweet old fashion
ed posies Of his boyhood-petunias mi
gnonette. heliotrope, day lilies. roses,
marigold, honeysuckles. all the sweet
familiar smells.
And the little shack itself was a
long. one story building of corrugated
iron. but its walls were hidden under
clambering roses and honeysuckles.
ANY widow who can go out wash
ing and keep a garden like this one is
worth a celebration" decided Mel Ar
cher as be tied his horse to the fence
and walked up to the front door-in
fact, the only door of the house. The
windows were lighted.
He knocked and Immediately a shad-
ow crossed the drawn shade.
who is thereT demanded a firm.
sweet voice.
"A friend" laughed Mel in his pleas
ant voice. "A committee of one from
the Double Bar"
"Ohr
The door opened Hospitality, and Mel
blinked as he entered a coy sitting
room
There was a round table and a
workbasket and a pile of children's
clothes.
Hat in hand, Mel turned his power.
full figure to meet the Widow White.
Instead Of sharp featured. work
worn drudge he saw a plump little wo.
man with brown hair streaked with
gray, fresh complexion, a pretty nose
and pair Of blue eyes that scanned
him incredulously.
Mel Archer!' she whispered at last
"May!" he exploded In a tone OF
disbelief. What are you doing here
at Mrs. whlfie'sg"
Because am Mrs. whiffie." she
answered evenly.
Your he gasped. because she was
the woman who had made him hate
all other women. Il never knew who
you married." he explained DULY.
And OF course | didn't know YOU
were within a thousand miles of Um.
pas county" she said. Won't you sit
DOWN. She sank into her own little
rocking chair and picked up a childs
frock
Mel could see that her fingers trem.
bled.
So you married Whiffie." he said at
last You're having hard time OF
II, MayT
She bit her lip
NO more than ! deserve" she said
In a strained tone. There's something
must explain TO you. Mel. You went
away so suddenly you never gave no
a chance"
Fire aheadr' he said. his eyes hid
den beneath his hand
He told himself that the li.bt hurt
his eyes, but 1t was the sight Of her
after seven long. hateful years that
daZ2led him
The Fourth OF July dawned rlparlv
Inc grass OF the ranges crisI.ei under
the burning rays Of the sun. but In the
grove OF trees at the back of the Wild
ow Whites house It was delightfully."-
cool
When the nine cowpunchers from
the Double Bar reached the grove the
three little Whites were playing con.
tentedly beneath the trees They had
some cheap toys and broken bits of
china and were supremely happy.
Their mother had set table In the
grove. and 1t looked good to the hot
and thirsty riders.
We've come to celebrate" explain.
ed Nevada Pete as they staked their
horses In the shade.
"CelebrateY' repeated Mrs. Whlffie
blushing and starry eyed. In a white
muslin gown she had washed and iron.
ed since dawn.
Didn't Mel tell you we were coming
today to show your kids how to cele-
brate the Fourth OF July?"
They all looked accusingly at Mel
Archer.
He was the picture OF confusion.
i declare" he confessed: II plumb
forgot to tell May about itP'
"Mayf' shrieked eight Indignant
male voices
yep" he said sturdlly; we're en-.
gagged
Engaged" chorused the ceIebrants.
Quick work. added Luke Mather.
May White put her hand on Mers
sleeve.
Tell them, Mel. that we used to be
sweethearts. and that we met unex.
pectedly last night, and that we're go,
Ing to be married now. Here comes
the minister"
The Rev. Mr. Jelton declared that he
had never otiiclated at a more prepos.
ferrous wedding When the big. bronz
ed cowboy and the blushing little wild
ow had been married beneath the
trees they sat down TO delicious
meal prepared by the bride.
And after that the day was one wild
pandemonium Of noise. for the COW.
boys celebrated every moment of the
time. while the children. caring not a
whit for the day and its significance
played with their TOYS.
When the last rocket had blazed It's
way into the evening sky the visitors
shook hands and rode away
Not one OF them but envied Archer
his good luck.
1T was a right proper celebration"
admitted Peter gloomily